Liisa Kauppinen

Liisa Kauppinen, a remarkable individual, overcame the challenge of deafness that arose several years after her birth, rising to exceptional heights in both her career and advocacy. In 1995, she made history as the first woman president of the World Federation of the Deaf, following prior roles as vice-president and secretary; concurrently, she held the position of executive director of the Finnish Association of the Deaf. Beyond her roles in the deaf community, Liisa fervently championed women’s and women with disabilities rights, demonstrating her dedication to human rights. Her global impact is profound, evident in achievements such as integrating references to sign languages and deaf identity into the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 

Serving as a consultant for the United Nations, she collaborated extensively with its agencies on behalf of the World Federation of the Deaf, driving international projects and development initiatives across diverse regions. This effort led to her reception of the UN Human Rights Prize in 2013, a testament to her contributions to advancing the rights of the deaf and disabled.