Every week, we will take a look at inspirational and motivational females throughout history as part of a campaign entitled #GirlsRunTheWorld from Life Style Sports. Why? Well because we do. Fuelled by strength and empowerment, the Life Style Sports ‘Girls Run the World’ campaign aims to support women in achieving their running and fitness goals in 2014 with the very best product range and free advice from the team of Life Style Sports Product Experts available in stores throughout the country.
Life Style Sports hope that the ‘Girls Run the World’ campaign will inspire women and with this in mind, we will feature inspirational women from Irish Olympic runner Fionnuala Britton to Hilary Clinton – these Girls Run The World and we want to celebrate them!
This week we take a look at our former leader, Mary Robinson and five reasons why she is so inspirational.
1. She was the first female President of Ireland.
Robinson was elected as the first female President of Ireland in 1990 changing the face of the Presidency. She is widely regarded as having breathed life back into an office that was largely seen as a "retirement position" up to that point. She even managed to smooth over Anglo-Irish relations and visited Queen Elizabeth in Buckingham Palace.
2. She was the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Robinson left her post as President two months early to begin her post as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. She even presided over the World Conference against Racism in 2001, extending her tenure by one year in order to attend it. She famously criticised the USA for violating rights during its War on Terror.
3. However, she had her own career before the Presidency.
Robinson attend Trinity College Dublin where she studied Law. She also went on to continue her studies in Harvard Law School. She was also appointed Reid Professor of Law in the college, a very prestigious title.
4. She campaigns for women.
Robinson puts her money where her mouth is and most of her liberal campaigns involve strengthening the position for women. When she campaigned for the Senate, she advocated for the right of women to sit on juries, that they would not have to give up their civil service position if they got married and perhaps most importantly, family planning rights for women in Ireland.
5. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama.
Obama said in his speech: "Mary Robinson learned early on what it takes to make sure all voices are heard. As a crusader for women and those without a voice in Ireland, Mary Robinson was the first woman elected President of Ireland, before being appointed U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. When she traveled abroad as President, she would place a light in her window that would draw people of Irish descent to pass by below. Today, as an advocate for the hungry and the hunted, the forgotten and the ignored, Mary Robinson has not only shone a light on human suffering, but illuminated a better future for our world."
Well said, Barack. Simon and Garfunkel can probably sum up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE1dz6_u2JI
Whatever kind of training you are involved in, the Life Style Sports Product Experts (in stores nationwide) are on hand to ensure each customer selects the correct clothing and footwear to meet their individual needs, reducing risk of injury and achieving better results. Life Style Sports also offers customers a free Gait Analysis service in select stores which provides runners with an essential insight into their individual running styles. Customers can also find all the information they need on wearing the right technical apparel, including "Sports Bra Fitting Guides" and footwear while running or working out at “The Fitness Hub” on lifestylesports.com.
