Read some of the most memorable quotes from Desomnd Tutu, the iconic champion of human rights, as well as find out more about the key events of his life so far.
Read some of the most memorable quotes from Desomnd Tutu, the iconic champion of human rights, as well as find out more about the key events of his life so far.
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Born in 1931, Tutu works as a teacher in the mid-1950s but resigns in 1957 in protest of government restrictions on education for black children.
"Without forgiveness, there's no future" —
Born in 1931, Tutu works as a teacher in the mid-1950s but resigns in 1957 in protest of government restrictions on education for black children.
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In 1961, Tutu is ordained an Anglican priest. Fourteen years later, he becomes the first black appointed Anglican dean of St. Mary's Cathedral in Johannesburg.
"A person is a person because he recognizes others as persons" —
In 1961, Tutu is ordained an Anglican priest. Fourteen years later, he becomes the first black appointed Anglican dean of St. Mary's Cathedral in Johannesburg.
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In 1984, Tutu becomes the second South African, after Chief Albert Lutuli, to win the Nobel Peace Prize for efforts to end apartheid.
"My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together" —
In 1984, Tutu becomes the second South African, after Chief Albert Lutuli, to win the Nobel Peace Prize for efforts to end apartheid.
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In 1986, Tutu is elected Archbishop of Cape Town, becoming the head of the Anglican Church in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland and Lesotho.
"Resentment and anger are bad for your blood pressure and your digestion" —
In 1986, Tutu is elected Archbishop of Cape Town, becoming the head of the Anglican Church in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland and Lesotho.
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In 1995, Tutu is selected by South African President Nelson Mandela to chair the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He presents the Commission's final report to South African President Thabo Mbeki in March 2003.
"South Africa, so utterly improbably, is a beacon of hope in a dark and troubled world" —
In 1995, Tutu is selected by South African President Nelson Mandela to chair the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He presents the Commission's final report to South African President Thabo Mbeki in March 2003.
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In July 18, 2007, Mandela announces the formation of The Elders, a group of elder statesmen from around the world that will work to solve global problems. Among the members of the group are Desmond Tutu, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Ela Bhatt. In September 30, 2007, Tutu leads The Elders on their first mission, to Darfur in Sudan.
"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world" —
In July 18, 2007, Mandela announces the formation of The Elders, a group of elder statesmen from around the world that will work to solve global problems. Among the members of the group are Desmond Tutu, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Ela Bhatt. In September 30, 2007, Tutu leads The Elders on their first mission, to Darfur in Sudan.
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In 2009, Tutu is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Barack Obama.
"I am not interested in picking up crumbs of compassion thrown from the table of someone who considers himself my master. I want the full menu of rights" —
In 2009, Tutu is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Barack Obama.
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