Helena Ann Kennedy
by Radiyah Shakur
The Right Honourable Helena Ann Kennedy, Baroness of the Shaws QC has provided judicial review for several high-profile cases dealing with sex discrimination, domestic violence and terrorism.
 She is a journalist and presenter, as well as programme creator. She holds lectures both domestically and internationally on human rights and criminal law, among other subjects, as well as numerous positions and titles. She is a Labour member of the House of Lords, a barrister, and chairs the Human Genetics Commission which advises the UK government on issues arising from developments in genetics. In 1997 she was made a Life Peer. From 1998 to 2004 she chaired the British Council.
Helena Kennedy QC has used her various titles, platforms and legal knowledge to give voice to people with least power within the system. She has campaigned, advised and lectured on behalf of civil liberties for all. She has also written and broadcasted a wide range of issues from women’s rights to medical negligence.
The Helena Kennedy Foundation (HKF) was established in 1998 to give a second chance to individuals denied the opportunity to further their education. The Foundation is aware that higher education is still perceived unattainable by many underprivileged, working class, ethnic, disabled and adult students. Serving as President of HFK, she found that 15 million adults in the UK, of working age, have no qualifications to succeed in the working world. To date the charity has assisted 120 students to study courses, such as law, medicine, dentistry, sports training and business, at UK universities. The HFK also assists some students, who successfully complete their courses and want to progress to higher education, with small monetary awards.
Baroness Kennedy is President of the School of Oriental and African Studies, and serves on the board of the British Museum.
Eve was Framed: Women and British Justice 1993
Just Law: The changing face of justice and why it matters to us 2004
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