Person

Marianna Vardinoyannis

Greek ambassador and activist

Marianna V. Vardinoyannis was a global advocate and campaigner for human rights and the protection of children’s health and welfare. She served as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador beginning in 1999, as well as the Founder and President of the “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation,” the “ELPIDA Friends’ Association of Children with Cancer,” and the “Orama Elpidas Association.” She also served as a board member of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Advisory Board, the MENTOR Foundation Against Drugs, the “Nizami Ganjavi International Center,” “Concordia,” and “The Hellenic Initiative.” Additionally, she was the President of the Honorary Committee of the Special Olympics Hellas and was involved in many other organizations. .

The wife of the prominent Greek businessman and philanthropist Vardis Vardinoyannis, she was also the mother of five children and a grandmother. She made significant contributions to culture in Greece, and had special ties to the Greek diaspora. Her work and contributions will live on as her impressive legacy.

New year, new us. Same mission.

Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights is rebranding to honor the legacy of our founder and hero, Mrs. Ethel Skakel Kennedy. From now on, we will proudly be known as the Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center

While our name is changing, our mission and work remain the same. We will continue to fight injustice, advance human rights, and hold governments accountable around the world in 2026 and beyond.