In 2014, Donato Tramuto received the Ripple of Hope Award from Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, joining distinguished recipients from business, entertainment and activist communities who have demonstrated a commitment to social change, including Hillary and Bill Clinton, Tim Cook, Bono, Bishop Desmond Tuto and George Clooney.

The RFK Ripple of Hope Award recognizes leaders of international business, entertainment and activist communities who demonstrate an unmatched commitment to social change. Tramuto has received this honor for three decades of commitment to social change by advancing healthcare and human rights around the world. The award was created to honor the ideals Senator Kennedy cited in a speech at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, in 1966:

Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.

Senator Robert F. Kennedy

Honorees reflect Senator Robert F. Kennedy’s passion for equality, justice and basic human rights. “Donato has been a relentless advocate throughout his career in addressing needs across the globe,” said Kerry Kennedy, President of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights. “For more than 30 years, he has demonstrated a passion for justice through philanthropic and business initiatives that reflect my father’s ideals. From his work on HIV/AIDS education to his founding of the Tramuto Foundation and Health eVillages, Donato’s leadership in making the world a better place embodies the values my father held.”