A Special Woman

As I was watching the news this morning as I got ready to come into work today and again as I was compiling the Newsday Tuesday for this morning, the story that stuck out in my head was the passing of Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Other than recognizing her name, I didn't really know that much about her. But as I learned more and more about her life and her work, I found her to be a true inspiration and a stunning example of a real humanitarian and advocate.

Shriver began her humanitarian work back in 1950 when she became a social worker at a penitentiary for women and then worked for work with the House of the Good Shepherd and the juvenile court in Chicago. In 1957, Shriver took over the direction of the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation, who's mission is to seek the prevention of intellectual disabilities by identifying its causes, and to improve the means by which society deals with citizens who have intellectual disabilities.

During her time as director, she helped the disabled community in many ways, including the President's Committee on Mental Retardation, development of the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, the establishment of a network of university-affiliated facilities and mental retardation research centers at major medical schools across the United States, and the creation of the "Community of Caring" concept for the reduction of intellectual disabilities among babies of teenagers.

By far her greatest achievement was the establishment of Special Olympics in 1968. The Special Olympics is a worldwide organization created to help people with intellectual disabilities develop self-confidence, social skills and a sense of personal accomplishment. Games are held in over 180 countries at the local, regional, national and international level.

Not only was Shriver dedicated to the empowerment of the intellectually disabled, but she was also a dedicated wife and mother to 5 children. Her strength and dedication to a cause and a community of people is really inspiring to me who hopes to follow along her same lines as an advocate for those who often get overlooked. Her passing is a sad occasion, but her memory will not be forgotten through the continuation of the Special Olympics program and the doors that she has opened for so many people.

You can make a difference too! If you are interested in helping out the community that Eunice loved so much, you can volunteer with the Special Olympics throughout the 50 states, or you can make a special donation to the Special Olympics in her honor.


Photo courtesy of dbking on flikr.com