Dimensions
162 x 240 x 34mm
One of the most inspiring women of our age, Mary Robinson has spent her life in pursuit of a fairer world. Never shy of speaking truth to those in power she has become one of the most eloquent, impassioned and influential voices for human rights issues around the world.
Her path to prominence is as compelling as any of her achievements as first woman President of Ireland, later UN High Commissioner of Human Rights and now one of the group of Elders, independent global leaders working together for humanity.
She describes the deeply Catholic upbringing - the only girl among four brothers - which provided her strong sense of values and how, as her personal convictions grew, it was to bring her into sometimes painful conflict with her parents - no more so than when she campaigned to legalise family planning in Ireland in l971 and earlier married the man she loved, Nick Robinson, against their wishes.
As an activist lawyer, Mary Robinson took on landmark cases in the Irish and European courts - winning remarkable victories for women as well as advancing relations with Northern Ireland. It was a shock to the political system when such a radical as well as a woman was elected to be President in 1990. The mother of three children, she was also able to bring all her skill, experience and determination to redefining the president's role and putting it on the global stage.
As UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 1997-2002, she won widespread admiration for bringing attention to victims worldwide, although her unflinching approach was not always popular in the corridors of power, especially with the Bush administration. This book does not shrink from describing the political difficulties among the many triumphs.
Now heading her own foundation on Climate Justice, Mary Robinson has found the independence she needs to work effectively on behalf of the millions of unrepresented poor around the world most affected by climate change.
Told with the same calm conviction and modest pride that has guided her life, Everybody Matters will inspire anyone who reads it with the belief that any one of us can, in our own way, help to change the world for the better.
