Kerry Kennedy

Kerry Kennedy
Gage Skidmore · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Kerry Kennedy
Birth date	8 September 1959
Birth place	Washington, D.C., U.S.
Education	Brown University (BA), Boston College (JD)
Occupation	Human rights activist, author
Spouse	Andrew Cuomo (m. 1990; div. 2005)
Parents	Robert F. Kennedy, Ethel Kennedy
Relatives	Kennedy family

Kerry Kennedy. Kerry Kennedy is an American human rights activist, author, and member of the prominent Kennedy family. The seventh child of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy, she has dedicated her career to advancing social justice, human rights, and the rule of law globally. She is the founder of the international nonprofit organization Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and has authored several books on human rights issues.

Early life and education

Kerry Kennedy was born in Washington, D.C., and raised at the family estate, Hickory Hill, in McLean, Virginia. Her upbringing was deeply influenced by the political legacy and public service commitment of her father, Robert F. Kennedy, and her uncle, President John F. Kennedy. She attended the Potomac School and later graduated from the Putney School in Vermont. Kennedy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University, where she studied anthropology. She subsequently received a Juris Doctor from the Boston College Law School, which provided a foundation for her legal advocacy work.

Career and activism

Following her graduation, Kennedy began her career working for Amnesty International, where she led delegations to investigate human rights abuses in nations like Haiti, Kenya, and Northern Ireland. In 1988, she founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, now known as Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights. The organization awards the prestigious Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award to courageous human rights defenders from around the world. Kennedy has personally advocated for issues including women's rights, freedom of speech, and labor rights, meeting with activists and political leaders across Latin America, Asia, and Africa. She has served on the boards of several institutions, including the United States Institute of Peace and the Amnesty International USA Leadership Council.

Personal life

In 1990, Kennedy married politician Andrew Cuomo, the son of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo. The couple had three daughters, Cara, Mariah, and Michaela, before divorcing in 2005. She remains an active member of the Kennedy family, participating in family gatherings and public commemorations, such as those for the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Kennedy has also been involved in various philanthropic and social events, often centered in New York City and Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.

Awards and recognition

Throughout her career, Kerry Kennedy has received numerous accolades for her human rights work. She has been honored by institutions such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Equal Rights Advocates. In 2011, she was awarded the prestigious Michele G. and C. Richard Mattson Human Rights Award from the University of Minnesota. Her leadership at Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights has been recognized globally, and she has received honorary degrees from several universities, including Le Moyne College and Regis College.

Published works

Kennedy is the author of several books focusing on human rights and social justice. Her 1998 book, Speak Truth to Power: Human Rights Defenders Who Are Changing Our World, profiles courageous activists and was adapted into a PBS documentary, a play, and an educational curriculum. In 2018, she authored Robert F. Kennedy: Ripples of Hope, which features interviews with global leaders, activists, and celebrities reflecting on her father's legacy. She has also contributed to publications like The Huffington Post and The Boston Globe, and her work is frequently cited in discussions on international human rights law and advocacy.

Category:American human rights activists Category:Kennedy family Category:1959 births Category:Living people