With Merlet, Anne Marie Coriolan, 53, served as a top adviser to the women's rights ministry.

CNN: Women's movement mourns death of 3 Haitian leaders

Coriolan, who died when her boyfriend's home collapsed, was the founder of Solidarite Fanm Ayisyen (Solidarity with Haitian Women, or SOFA), which Charles described as an advocacy and services organization.

CNN: Women's movement mourns death of 3 Haitian leaders

Her daughter, Wani Thelusmon Coriolan, said in Haiti children bear only their father's surname, but her mother insisted on keeping her maiden name and making sure her two children shared it, too.

CNN: Women's movement mourns death of 3 Haitian leaders