Career Timeline of Kerry Kennedy: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Kerry Kennedy made an impact.

Mary Kerry Kennedy is an American lawyer, author, and prominent human rights activist. As a member of the Kennedy family, she is the daughter of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Kennedy, and niece to John F. Kennedy and Ted Kennedy. She has dedicated her life to advocating for social justice and human rights causes around the world.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1981: Internship with Amnesty International

In 1981, Kerry Kennedy started working in the field of human rights as an intern with Amnesty International. She investigated abuses committed by U.S. immigration officials against refugees from the Salvadoran Civil War in El Salvador.

1986: Established RFK Center Partners for Human Rights

In 1986, Kerry Kennedy established the RFK Center Partners for Human Rights to protect rights codified under the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights, providing support to human rights defenders worldwide.

2008: Edited 'Being Catholic Now'

In 2008, Kerry Kennedy was the editor of "Being Catholic Now, Prominent Americans talk about Change in the Church and the Quest for Meaning", a book which included essays from prominent Catholics.

2009: Chevron lawsuit advocacy

In 2009, Kerry Kennedy traveled to Ecuador and advocated against Chevron in an article for the Huffington Post regarding the lawsuit against Chevron Corporation for environmental and human health damages.

February 2010: Paid for Chevron lawsuit advocacy

In February 2010, Kerry Kennedy was reportedly paid $50,000 by the plaintiffs' lead American lawyer for her advocacy against Chevron in the environmental lawsuit.

June 2010: Chevron lawsuit advocacy expenses

In June 2010, the plaintiffs' law firm budgeted $10,000 per month for Kerry Kennedy's services, plus $40,000 in expenses for her work on the Chevron lawsuit.

2012: Advocacy payment made public

In 2012, it was made public that Kerry Kennedy was being paid by the Ecuadorean plaintiffs in the lawsuit against Chevron Corporation, which had not been disclosed previously.

June 9, 2016: New York State Assembly Passed Kalief's Law

On June 9, 2016, the New York State Assembly passed Kalief's Law by a 138-2 margin, a law Kerry Kennedy campaigned for, which would have guaranteed speedy trials to defendants being held in pretrial detention.

June 21, 2017: Posted Bail for Pedro Hernandez

On June 21, 2017, Kerry Kennedy, through Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, posted the $100,000 bail for Pedro Hernandez, a 17-year-old who had spent over a year in pretrial detention at Rikers Island.

2017: Kalief's Law reintroduced

In 2017, Kalief's Law was reintroduced by State Senator Daniel L. Squadron during the 2017-2018 legislative session as S 1998-A.

2017: Speedy Trial Reform Advocacy

In 2017, Kerry Kennedy continued her advocacy for speedy trial reform in New York, emphasizing the importance of the promise of a speedy trial in a New York Daily News editorial and worked with the Katal Center for Health, Equity and Justice.

2017: Received Medal for Social Activism

In 2017, Kerry Kennedy received the Medal for Social Activism from the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Bogota, Colombia for her devotion to equal justice.

June 21, 2018: Launched 'Break Bread Not Families' Campaign

On June 21, 2018, Kerry Kennedy joined organizations to launch the 'Break Bread Not Families Immigration Fast and Prayer Chain' in response to President Trump's family separation policy.

June 23, 2018: Held Prayer Vigil in McAllen, Texas

On June 23, 2018, the 'Break Bread Not Families' campaign, of which Kerry Kennedy was a part, held a prayer vigil in McAllen, Texas, marking the start of a campaign that encouraged activists, political figures, and celebrities to fast in protest of the Trump administration's family separation policy.

October 9, 2018: Charges against Hernandez Dropped

On October 9, 2018, all remaining charges against Pedro Hernandez, for whom Kerry Kennedy posted bail, were dropped on the condition that he attend college.

2018: Kalief's Law reintroduced

In 2018, Kalief's Law was reintroduced by State Senator Daniel L. Squadron during the 2017-2018 legislative session as S 1998-A.

2018: Published "Robert F. Kennedy: Ripples of Hope"

In 2018, Kerry Kennedy published "Robert F. Kennedy: Ripples of Hope: Kerry Kennedy in Conversation with Heads of State, Business Leaders, Influencers, and Activists about Her Father's Impact on Their Lives", a book containing interviews from prominent individuals influenced by her father's legacy.