Ethel Kennedy

Ethel Kennedy is an American human rights advocate and prominent member of the Kennedy family. The widow of United States Attorney General and U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy, she has been a steadfast figure in Democratic Party politics and social activism for over six decades. Following her husband's assassination in 1968, she dedicated herself to raising their eleven children and continuing his legacy through philanthropic work, particularly with the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization. Her life has been marked by both profound personal tragedy and a enduring commitment to public service.

Early life and education

Ethel Skakel was born in Chicago to wealthy businessman George Skakel, founder of Great Lakes Carbon Corporation, and Ann Brannack. She was raised in the Roman Catholic faith alongside her six siblings in Greenwich, Connecticut. Skakel attended the private Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich and later Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York, where she studied history. It was during her time at Manhattanville College that she became close friends with Jean Kennedy Smith, a connection that would introduce her to the wider Kennedy family and their political circle in Hyannis Port.

Marriage and family

She married Robert F. Kennedy in 1950 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Greenwich, with the ceremony performed by Francis Spellman, the Archbishop of New York. The couple eventually had eleven children: Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Joseph P. Kennedy II, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., David Kennedy, Mary Courtney Kennedy, Michael LeMoyne Kennedy, Mary Kerry Kennedy, Christopher G. Kennedy, Matthew Maxwell Taylor Kennedy, Douglas Harriman Kennedy, and Rory Kennedy. The family resided at Hickory Hill in McLean, Virginia, an estate that became a famous hub for political and social gatherings attended by figures like John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Martin Luther King Jr.. Her life was shattered by the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles in 1968, following his victory in the California Democratic primary.

Public life and activism

Following her husband's death, she became a tireless advocate for the causes he championed. She served as a board member and key supporter of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization, which awards the annual Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award. She was a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War and has been a consistent supporter of the Civil Rights Movement, environmental justice, and anti-apartheid efforts. Kennedy actively campaigned for numerous Democratic candidates, including her brother-in-law Ted Kennedy during his presidential bid and later for Barack Obama. Her activism extended to international advocacy, participating in protests against nuclear weapons and supporting the United Farm Workers led by Cesar Chavez.

Later years and legacy

In her later years, she remains a matriarchal figure at the center of the Kennedy family, presiding over gatherings at the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis Port. She has been honored with awards such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded by President Barack Obama in 2014. Her life and family's story have been depicted in numerous films and documentaries, including the Emmy Award-winning series *The Kennedys*. Through her children, such as environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and filmmaker Rory Kennedy, and her enduring philanthropic work, the legacy of Robert F. Kennedy's vision for social justice continues. The Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C., stands as a further public testament to the family's impact.

Category:Kennedy family Category:American human rights activists Category:1928 births Category:Living people