A dramatic seascape by Nicholas Chevalier showing storm clouds over Cook Strait, New Zealand. The waves are crashing against a sandy shore where two Māori-style wooden canoes rest abandoned. Distant rain veils an island under a burst of sunlight breaking through the clouds.

Nicholas Chevalier. Cook Strait, New Zealand, ca. 1884. Oil on canvas. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

Ngā mihi nui, the Māori expression for gratitude, was how Dr. Helen Farley signed off every email to us. It is with deep respect and sorrow that we acknowledge her passing. Helen will be remembered here as a visionary advocate for equitable access to education and a cherished partner in the JSTOR Access in Prison initiative.

Helen’s polite persistence and unwavering belief in the transformative power of knowledge reshaped the contours of what JSTOR Access in Prison could be. Before Helen reached out, JSTOR Access in Prison was focused solely on the United States. But Helen challenged us to think bigger. She advocated passionately for the inclusion of incarcerated learners in New Zealand, and in doing so, opened our eyes to the possibility of JSTOR becoming a resource for incarcerated learners outside of the United States.

Because of Helen, JSTOR Access in Prison set in motion a series of collaborations with internal teams and external stakeholders, ultimately enabling us to offer JSTOR to incarcerated students on four continents today. Her legacy is inextricably linked to our international presence with her voice, vision, and values woven into the very fabric of our work we do every single day.

Helen also educated us. Gently.  With every message, she brought us closer to the people and culture she served. She greeted us in te reo Māori, shared insights about the Māori people, and reminded us that inclusion is not just about access, but about respect, understanding, and cultural connection.

We extend our deepest sympathies to Helen’s loved ones, her colleagues, and the many students whose lives she touched. Her impact will continue to ripple outward, and people who will never have the privilege of knowing her will continue benefiting from her deep, quiet work to make the world a better place. Ngā mihi nui, Helen.