Robinson shared her journey into politics as a woman, detailing the challenges she overcame during her career. She recounted her upbringing in Ballina, Mayo, where she was raised alongside her four brothers by parents who were both doctors. Reflecting on her early experiences, she described accompanying her father on call-outs when electricity first reached their county, significantly improving his work and benefiting rural communities.
Highlighting the critical role of women in politics, Robinson stressed the importance of achieving gender balance in political spheres globally and underscored the need for men as feminist allies.
Robinson also discussed her involvement with Project Dandelion, the first global, women-led campaign for climate justice, explaining how she integrated her work in human rights with climate justice over time.
A significant portion of her speech was dedicated to the issue of clean cooking. She highlighted that over two billion people globally lack access to clean cooking facilities, with over half living in Africa. These populations often rely on open fires and rudimentary stoves fueled by charcoal, wood, agricultural waste, and animal dung, leading to indoor air pollution with devastating health effects.
Robinson also spoke about her tenure with The Elders Foundation, expressing pride in founding the organization with Nelson Mandela and working alongside Desmond Tutu. She emphasized the importance of humour in negotiations, mentioning her podcast with comedian Maeve Higgins.
Encouraging action, Robinson urged the audience to connect, monitor major emitters, and envision a safer and fairer world. Her speech left a profound impact, with each sentence resonating deeply with attendees.
The event also provided an opportunity for networking, where participants, including classmates like Karen Reid, connected and shared experiences, looking forward to future interactions.
The WIN event was hailed as a resounding success, offering a platform for meaningful dialogue and inspiration, thanks to Mary Robinson's captivating presence.