Mary Robinson, 2009-10 Stanford Presidential Lecturer, has been named by US President Barack Obama as one of the recipients of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Medal of Freedom is the highest US civilian honor, awarded to “individuals who make an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”
Mary Robinson, the first woman President of Ireland (1990-1997) and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997-2002), is currently the President of Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative. Its mission is to make human rights the compass which charts a course for globalization that is fair, just, and benefits all.
