In loving, living memory, John Melançon 1928 – 2007
We prefer organizer, because it implies effective action, doing work over the long haul, while activist has negative connotations in the sense of ineffective or sporadic action.
But everyone can't be an organizer, or not only an organizer, and some people clearly take action.
Used "amazing community activist, organizer, hope-for-humanity" for Kaveri.
Guess that works.
TODO: Link to Kasey's wonderful organizer and activist relationship essay (both are needed).