Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights facts for kids
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| Founded | 1968 |
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| Founder | Ethel Kennedy |
| Type | Operating public charity (IRS exemption status): 501(c)(3) |
| Focus | Human rights |
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| Method | advocacy, awards, education |
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Key people
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Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights is a non-profit organization in the United States. It works to protect and promote human rights around the world. The group was named after Robert F. Kennedy, a United States Senator, in 1968. This was a few months after he passed away.
The organization includes many skilled lawyers, activists, and writers. They all work towards a more fair and peaceful world. They often team up with local activists to make lasting positive changes. These changes can affect governments and large companies. The organization also gives out special awards. These include the RFK Human Rights Award and the RFK Book and Journalism Awards. These awards honor people who stand up for human rights and support brave journalists. The main offices are in New York and Washington, D.C.. Kerry Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy's daughter, is the current President of the organization.
Contents
History of the Organization
The Robert F. Kennedy Memorial started as a non-profit group in Washington, D.C., in October 1968. Robert Kennedy's family and friends wanted to remember his public service. He had passed away on June 5, 1968.
They announced the Memorial at a press conference on October 29, 1968. Robert Kennedy's brother, Ted Kennedy, explained that it would be a "living memorial." It would focus on important issues like poverty, crime, and education in America. He said the group would take action to continue Robert Kennedy's work. It would try to solve problems that seemed to have no easy answers.
Robert Kennedy's wife, Ethel Kennedy, shared a statement. She hoped the Memorial would carry on her husband's ideas. He wanted to help young people and those who faced unfair treatment. He also wanted to promote peace worldwide. These goals became the main focus of the Memorial. Later, the Memorial and other projects were all renamed Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights.
Awards Given by the Organization
The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization gives out several important awards. These awards recognize people who make a big difference in the world.
The Human Rights Award
The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award began in 1984. It honors people globally who show great courage. These individuals must have made a major impact on human rights in their home countries.
Winners of this award receive money and work with the organization. They collaborate on projects related to human rights. Since 1984, 43 individuals and groups from 25 countries have received this honor. In 2009, President Barack Obama presented the award.
Past Winners
The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award has recognized many brave people. Here are some of the recent winners:
- 2024: Arely Westley from the United States.
- 2023: Parlamento del Pueblo Xinka from Guatemala.
- 2022: Maximilienne Ngo Mbe and Felix Agbor Nkongho (Balla) from Cameroon.
- 2021: Guerline Jozef from the United States.
- 2020: Alessandra Korap Munduruku from Brazil.
- 2019: La Unión del Pueblo Entero, Angry Tías & Abuelas of the Río Grande Valley, and Detained Migrant Solidarity Committee, all from the United States.
- 2018: Color of Change, International Indigenous Youth Council, March For Our Lives, and United We Dream, all from the United States.
- 2017: Alfredo Romero from Venezuela.
- 2016: Just Leadership USA and Andrea C. James from the United States.
- 2015: Natalia Taubina from Russia.
- 2014: Adilur Rahman Khan from Bangladesh.
- 2013: Ragia Omran from Egypt.
- 2012: Librada Paz from the United States.
- 2011: Frank Mugisha from Uganda.
- 2010: Abel Barrera Hernández from Mexico.
- 2009: Magodonga Mahlangu and Women of Zimbabwe Arise from Zimbabwe.
The Ripple of Hope Award
Each year, the Robert F. Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award celebrates amazing leaders. These leaders come from government, business, and entertainment. They are honored for their strong dedication to social change. They work to protect and advance fairness, justice, and human rights.
Award Recipients
Many well-known people have received the Ripple of Hope Award. Some recent recipients include:
- 2024: Susan Clark Livingston, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Antonio Neri, John W. Rogers Jr., and Tom Wilson.
- 2023: The Edwin Barbey Charitable Trust, Fran Drescher, and members of the January 6th Select Committee.
- 2022: Frank Baker, Brian Moynihan, Bill Russell, President Volodymyr Zelensky, Michael Polsky, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
- 2021: Hans Vestberg, Deven Parekh, Jose E. Feliciano, Stacey Abrams, and Amanda Gorman.
- 2020: Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dolores Huerta, Colin Kaepernick, Dan Schulman, and Dan Springer.
- 2019: Nancy Pelosi, Wendy Abrams, and Glen Tullman.
- 2018: Barack Obama, Bruce D. Broussard, Phil Murphy, and David Zaslav.
- 2017: Harry Belafonte, Alex Gorsky, and Hamdi Ulukaya.
- 2016: Joseph R. Biden Jr., Scott Minerd, and Howard Schultz.
- 2015: Tim Cook, Roger Altman, Marianna Vardinoyannis, and John Lewis.
- 2014: Robert De Niro, Tony Bennett, Hilary Rodham Clinton, and Donato Tramuto.
The Book Award
The Robert F. Kennedy Book Award started in 1980. It was funded by money from a biography about Robert Kennedy. Each year, this award goes to a book that truly shows Robert Kennedy's goals. These goals include caring for the poor and those without power. They also include fighting for fair justice for everyone. The award celebrates the idea that a good society should give all young people a fair chance. It also believes that a free democracy can fix problems of power and opportunity.
Book Award Winners
Some of the books that have won this award include:
- 2024: Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class by Blair LM Kelley.
- 2023: The Third Reconstruction: America's Struggle for Racial Justice in the Twenty-First Century by Peniel E. Joseph.
- 2022: The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee and America on Fire: The Untold History of Police Violence and Black Rebellion Since the 1960s by Elizabeth Hinton.
- 2021: Unworthy Republic:The Dispossession of Native Americans and the Road to Indian Territory by Claudio Saunt.
- 2020: Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment Is Killing America's Heartland by Jonathan Metzl.
- 2019: American Prison: A Reporter's Undercover Journey into the Business of Punishment by Shane Bauer.
- 2018: Not a Crime to Be Poor: The Criminalization of Poverty in America by Peter Edelman / The Blood of Emmett Till by Timothy Tyson.
- 2017: Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond.
- 2016: Once in a Great City: A Detroit Story by David Maraniss.
- 2015: The Crusades of Cesar Chavez by Miriam Pawel.
The Journalism Award
The Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award began in 1968. It was created by reporters who covered Kennedy's presidential campaign. This award honors journalists who report on issues that were important to Robert Kennedy. These issues include human rights, social justice, and how one person's actions can make a difference. The stories often look at the reasons for unfairness and how to fix it. They also analyze public policies and programs.
A committee of independent journalists leads this award. More than fifty journalists judge the entries each year. Famous winners include World News anchor Diane Sawyer.
Other Activities
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights also hosts a video contest called Speak Truth to Power. This contest is supported by the American Federation of Teachers and the Tribeca Festival.
See also
- List of human rights organisations
