Carol Bellamy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carol Bellamy
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Speaking in 2008
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| Executive Director of UNICEF | |
| In office May 1, 1995 – May 1, 2005 |
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| Secretary General | Boutros Boutros-Ghali Kofi Annan |
| Preceded by | Richard Jolly (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Ann Veneman |
| 13th Director of the Peace Corps | |
| In office October 7, 1993 – May 1, 1995 |
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| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Elaine Chao |
| Succeeded by | Mark Gearan |
| President of the New York City Council | |
| In office January 1, 1978 – December 31, 1985 |
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| Preceded by | Paul O'Dwyer |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Stein |
| Member of the New York State Senate | |
| In office January 1, 1973 – December 31, 1977 |
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| Preceded by | John J. Marchi |
| Succeeded by | Martin Connor |
| Constituency | 23rd district (1973–1974) 25th district (1975–1977) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 14, 1942 Plainfield, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Other political affiliations |
Liberal (1985) |
| Education | Gettysburg College (BA) New York University (JD) |
Carol Bellamy (born January 14, 1942) is an American leader who has worked in politics and for organizations that help people around the world. She has led famous groups like the Peace Corps and UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund.
Bellamy made history in New York City. She was the first woman ever elected to a city-wide office. She served as the President of the New York City Council. Today, she continues to work to protect children's rights and prevent violence.
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Early Life and Education
Carol Bellamy was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, in 1942. She grew up in the nearby town of Scotch Plains. After high school, she went to Gettysburg College and graduated in 1963.
From 1963 to 1965, she volunteered for the Peace Corps in Guatemala. The Peace Corps is a U.S. government program that sends Americans abroad to help with projects in other countries. After returning, she studied law and earned a law degree from New York University School of Law in 1968.
Career in Business and Law
After law school, Bellamy worked as a lawyer for the firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore. Later, she worked in finance as a managing director at Bear Stearns and a principal at Morgan Stanley.
In 1968, she appeared in a film by D. A. Pennebaker called One P.M.. In the film, she talked about her belief that business could be used to create positive social change.
A Career in Politics
Bellamy was active in politics for many years, especially in New York. A politician is someone who works in government, creating laws and serving the public.
New York State Senate
From 1973 to 1977, Bellamy was a member of the New York State Senate. The State Senate is part of the government that makes laws for New York State. She represented parts of New York City.
New York City Council President
In 1977, Bellamy decided to run for President of the New York City Council. This is a very important job in New York City's government. She didn't have as much money for her campaign as her opponents, but she worked hard.
She came in second in the first round of voting. In the final runoff election, she won with 58% of the vote. This victory made her the first woman ever elected to a city-wide office in New York City. She served as Council President from 1978 until 1985. In 1985, she ran for Mayor of New York but did not win.
Leading Global Organizations
After her time in politics, Carol Bellamy took on leadership roles in organizations that work to make the world a better place.
Director of the Peace Corps
From 1993 to 1995, Bellamy was the director of the Peace Corps. This was a special role for her because she had been a Peace Corps volunteer herself when she was younger. She was the first former volunteer to ever become the director of the organization.
Executive Director of UNICEF
In 1995, Bellamy was chosen to be the executive director of UNICEF. UNICEF is the part of the United Nations that works to help children all over the world. It provides food, medicine, and education to kids in need.
She led UNICEF for ten years, until 2005. During her time there, she helped the organization grow. The amount of money UNICEF had to help children increased from about $800 million to over $1.8 billion per year.
Working with Other Groups
After leaving UNICEF, Bellamy continued her work with other important groups.
- World Learning: In 2005, she became the President and CEO of World Learning, an organization that promotes education and development in over 75 countries.
- Fair Labor Association: In 2007, she was elected chair of this group, which works to protect the rights of workers and end unfair labor practices in factories.
- Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF): She has served as the Chair of the Board for this fund. It supports local projects that help communities resist violent extremism by creating jobs and empowering women and young people.
- International Baccalaureate (IB): In 2009, she was appointed chair of the board for the IB program, which offers high-quality education to students worldwide.
Honors and Awards
Carol Bellamy has received many awards for her work.
- In 1982, Barnard College gave her its highest honor, the Medal of Distinction.
- In 2003, she received an honorary degree from Bates College.
- In 2006, the government of Japan awarded her the Order of the Rising Sun for her work with UNICEF.
- In 2009, France honored her with the Legion of Honour, one of the country's most famous awards.
