She is best known as the first female president of Ireland (1990-1997) and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997-2002).
She founded Realizing Rights—The Ethical Global Initiative (2002-2010) and is founder and president of the Mary Robinson Foundation-Climate Justice.
Her other positions include;
- the Chancellor of the University of Dublin (1998-present)
- the Chair of the International Institute for Environment and Development
- the Chair of the Institute for Human Rights and Business
- An active member of The Elders.
- The President of the Club de Madrid
- The honorary president of Oxfam International (2002-2012)
- The Chair of the Council of Women World Leaders.
She has also authored two books ;
- A Voice for Human Rights (2007)
- An autobiography, Everybody Matters: My Life Giving Voice (2012).
Robison has received many honorary degrees and awards, including the Sydney Peace Prize (2002), the US Presidential Medal of Freedom (2009), the Dame Grand Cross of Merit (2010), and the Knight of Freedom Award (2017).