Mary Bourke Robinson

Mary Robinson reciting one of her speeches (ccafs.cgiar.org ())

"A culture is not an abstract thing. It is, a living, evolving process. The aim is to push beyond standard-setting and asserting human rights to make those standards a living reality for people everywhere" (Mary Robinson). A woman who has made a major impact on not only her community, but also on the world, recited this quote.  May 21, 1944 signifies the starting point of change no other had ever accomplished before: Mary Robinson was born. This hero not only came to be the first woman president of Ireland, but was also a driven human-rights campaigner. She did not simply stop there. Additionally, this hero helped globally to alleviate world hunger and initiate an innovative, serene era for humankind. A hero must acquire three essential characteristics. First is courage: the capability of completing an action that could possibly frighten another. Second is intelligence: the capability to acquire and use comprehension and talent. Third is selflessness: the state of magnanimous concern for the well-being of others. Through courage, intelligence, and selflessness, Mary Robinson, a strong political figure, managed to craft a change in a discriminatory country by battling through not only presidency as a woman, but also gaining human rights for those who yearn for it most.

Robinson's courage is certainly one attribute she holds which makes up her heroism. Rather than taking the safe way out, Robinson shared her true colors by acting out of her comfort zone in order to make a greater impact on her country, Ireland, than any other ever had: "Robinson established herself as a champion of women's rights, concentrating on cases of sexual discrimination and unfair labor practices" (Salter, Susan). This demonstrates her courage because of the actions she took in a country where speaking up for others, especially as woman, was practically immoral. Robinson focused in on greater topics no one concentrated upon, because of the lack of understanding of the importance of human rights. She made it clear that having rights was a way of life, and no person should have this way of life taken from them. On top of fighting for human rights, her presidency was a courageous act she took on as well: "Throughout her career as president, Robinson has had to deal with wars, internal government scandal and trying to overcome the stigmas applied to her for being a woman" (Encyclopedia of World Biography). This is the perfect example of courage because she encountered a situation many would never dare to go through in a country where women are discriminated against. Robinson had to face challenges such as being put down simply because of her gender.  However, in the long run it was not Robinson's courageous acts as president that makes her a hero but the work she put in behind the scenes of the fame and spotlight. In the end, despite all the obstacles she faced, Robinson showed us that with enough courage, one can accomplish anything they set their minds to.

Mary Robinson representing knowledge (findalismonkeyinthemiddle.blogspot.com ())

Mary Robinson's intelligence is another key component as to why she got as far as she did and gained the honor of taking on responsibilities no other woman had taken before. An education took a major role in her intelligence today; Robinson did not settle for less, according to the 2004 article: "At Trinity College, Dublin, she studied law and won a postgraduate fellowship to Harvard in 1967," (Clear, Catriona). This quote not only exemplifies the major intelligence Robinson owns, but also that this knowledge shaped her into a wise leader, thus directing her to great positions never taken, which is quite admirable. This is respectable because without her hard work and dedication she would not have gained the knowledge to become president and make the difference she has made today. Furthermore, Robinson did not stop advancing her knowledge at Harvard: "Created the first "right to life" amendment that added constitutional permanence to the existing Irish legislation against abortion," (Encyclopedia of World Biography). This shows she has great intelligence because to make a beneficial amendment, prior knowledge about modern day society is needed. Robinson's global awareness is what kept her going strong and finding ways to gain bills and acts involving human rights. Her intelligence gained over the years is what has gotten her as far as she has come; without it she would have never taken on positions that helped her have the ability to make a change in Ireland.

Most importantly, through selflessness Robinson has gained the position of a hero, by simply not preoccupying over how her differences will benefit her but the country she was once responsible for. Robinson spent time and dedication, even when not in office, to form Ireland's community into a new positive form of life: "Over the next two decades, Robinson worked ceaselessly to help change these laws. Robinson became an outspoken advocate for human rights," (Clear, Caitriona).Robinson's actions are admirable because, she never stopped fighting through; she set a goal on gaining human rights for the Irish and slowly but surely accomplished it one step at a time.Throughout these two decades she did not think about herself but more for the future and present society of Ireland and how her actions would positively benefit the citizens that counted on her most. Not only did she persevere to make a present change but Robinson created a new time period for future citizens to witness and embrace: "She spent nearly seven years in the post, and helped usher Ireland into a newly liberal, prosperous, and peaceful era,"(Gale Biography In Context). I admire her perseverance and driven personality, even though others push her down she always seems to find a way to maintain hope for change in our modern day society, while asking for nothing in return.She not only has created bills that will change Ireland forever, but has now created a positive new look on what Ireland is yet to become. All in all, Robinson's selflessness is what helped make the greatest change because she did not simply focus in on herself but everyday citizens like she once was.

Mary Robinson recieving award (puffincat.blogspot.com ())

By holding characteristics of courage, intelligence and selflessness, Mary Robinson made an impact on a country that seemed to be hopeless for human rights ever being part of one's lifestyle. Mary Robinson is a true inspiration, Not only did she prove that one voice can create an unimaginable impact, but also demonstrated that the sky is the limit when you have your mind set on accomplishing a dream. In the article titled "Mary Bourke Robinson" Robinson is described as the following: "Robinson championed numerous causes that could most appropriately be categorized as civil libertarian and feminist," (Encyclopedia of World Biography).This makes Robinson a true inspiration it clearly illustrates she is not doing this for the fame or publicity, but simply for the good of society. I admire Robinson's ambition. She always found a way to keep up her hope to one day gain human rights for all because she is the voice. Although Robinson was put down time and time again, she still managed to stay up and do things for mankind, while asking for nothing in return. She evolved this hopeless society into the environment people everywhere deserve, thus reaching a great level of honor: a true hero.

Works Cited

Clear, Caitriona. "Mary Robinson." Encyclopedia of Irish History and Culture. Ed. James S. Donnelly Jr.Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2004. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 26 Mar. 2012. .

"Mary Bourke Robinson." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2nd ed. Vol. 13. Detroit: Gale, 2004. 211-213. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 28 Mar. 2012.

Mary Robinson. "Contemporary Heroes and Heroines". Vol. 4. Gale, 2000. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 27 Mar. 2012 .

Salter, Susan. "Robinson, Mary (1944-)." Newsmakers. Ed. Louise Mooney. Detroit: Gale Research, 1993. Student Resource Center - Junior. Gale.