Mary Robinson

The Honorable Mary Robinson, a pioneer for women and girls, served as the first female President of Ireland. She is also a founding member and Chair of The Elders, a group of global leaders who use their independence, collective experience and influence for peace, justice and human rights worldwide. Previously, she served as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 1997 to 2002 and Senator for the University of Dublin from 1969 to 1989. A lifelong advocate for human rights, climate justice, and gender equality, she was a founding member of the Council of Women World Leaders, served as honorary president of Oxfam International, and was a member of the Club of Madrid. She also held various posts at the UN, and in 2010, she established the Mary Robinson Foundation—Climate Justice.