Robinson, Mary

1944 – She was born on the 21st day of May this year in Ballina County, Mayo.

1969 - She first rose to prominence as an academic, barrister, campaigner, and member of the Irish senate in this year. She first hit national headlines as one of Trinity College's three members of Seanad Éireann (the Irish senate) to which she was first elected, as an independent candidate, in this year.

1970 – She married Nicholas Robinson. Despite the fact that her family had close links to the Church of Ireland, her marriage to a Protestant student caused a rift with her parents, who did not attend her wedding, although the rift was eventually overcome in subsequent years.

1979 - Robinson's early political career included election to Dublin City Council in this year, where she served until 1983.

1990 – She became the first female and seventh President of Ireland serving from this year until February of 1997.

1997 – She became the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, from this year to 2002.

2002 – She is Chair of the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and is a founding member and Chair of the Council of Women World Leaders.

2004 – She was a Professor of Practice in International Affairs at Columbia University, where she teaches international human rights. She also she received Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience Award for her work in promoting human rights.