2012 HERO
Mary Robinson
Former president of Ireland, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and founder and president of Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative
For her advocacy for the rights of all people to personal health and a safe environment in which to live
Mary Robinson, the first woman president of Ireland, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and founder and president of Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative, has been a lifelong champion of health as a human right. She has used her influence as a world leader to advocate for maternal health, reproductive choices, immunizations, and the right to food and clean water. As an academic, legislator, and barrister, she sought to use law as an instrument for social change, arguing landmark cases before the European Court of Human Rights and the European Court in Luxembourg as well as in the Irish courts. In 1988 Robinson and her husband founded the Irish Centre for European Law at the Trinity College. Ten years later she was elected chancellor of the University of Dublin. Among her numerous honors is the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama. She is a member of The Elders, former chair of the Council of Women World Leaders, a member of the Club of Madrid, former chair of the GAVI Alliance board and former president of the International Commission of Jurists. She now serves as president of the Mary Robinson Foundation—Climate Justice.
The award will be presented by Richard Blum, chairman of Blum Capital Partners, L.P.
