Robinson’s father knew how to listen to his patients.

Question: What inspires you?

Mary Robinson: My immediate family had a big impact. My father, being an old fashioned doctor, he knew how to listen. He slowed his own speech. He took his time even leaving a very poor cottage because the old lady wanted to come out to the gate with him, and she was on a . . . with a stick. And how he took the time. And it was important, and he reinforced the dignity and just didn’t prescribe pills, but was the true doctor. And I read a lot about, as I mentioned, Gandhi. I had read a lot about Nelson Mandela before I met him. I had the honor to be president at his inauguration when I went there as President of Ireland and we made a state visit. And we’ve become friends. And he’s somebody I hugely admire. Desmond Tutu, but also very grassroots people. And one woman leader who is also now an elder – Ella Bhatt. She founded SEWA, the Self-Employed Women’s Association, which I visited when I was president. It’s one of the largest women’s organizations in the world. And the work they have done to improve the lives and dignity of so many very poor women . . . Mohammad Yunis recently got the Nobel Prize. And indeed another man from Bangladesh who did a similar wonderful thing – founding _________. Mohammad founded the Grameen Bank, both working with very poor women. And _________ has done incredible training at various different levels. And I’ve been lucky enough, because of the work I’ve been doing, to meet the most extraordinary people, including very courageous human rights defenders. ________ and her sister ________ are both from Pakistan. They’re speaking out at the moment about what’s happening in Pakistan so courageously. And I feel a huge empathy, and I want to do whatever I can because they’re doing what they can. Recorded on: 7/25/07