Mary Ann Glendon

Mary Ann Glendon is a professor at Harvard University Law School who was ambassador to The Vatican for President George W. Bush between 2001 and 2009. She is an ardent anti-abortionist, as well.

On April 27, 2009, she told the University of Notre Dame that she wouldn't accept the Laetare Medal from them at the May 17, 2009, commencement ceremony because she objects to Notre Dame's planned award to Barack Obama.MSNBC: Abortion foe declines Notre Dame award (April 27, 2009)

Harvard University's Learned Hand professor of law Mary Ann Glendon was slated to be given the university's Laetere Medal at the 2009 commencement. The medal is the highest award given by Notre Dame, to recognize distinguished service to the Catholic church and the greater society. On April 27, 2009, she wrote Notre Dame's president Father John Jenkins, that after considerable thought, she felt that she could not accept the medal. She principally objects to Notre Dame giving U.S. President Barack Obama an honorary degree, because he is a supporter of abortion rights.Catholic Online: Mary Ann Glendon Refuses Notre Dame's Laetare Medal (April 27, 2009)

While she appreciated that Notre Dame planned on using her as a balance to the selection of Barack Obama, she felt that a commencement speech was not the place to debate the issue of abortion. She released the letter to the press but refused further comment.Catholic Online: Mary Ann Glendon Refuses Notre Dame's Laetare Medal (April 27, 2009)