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Eunice Kennedy Shriver has been a leader in the worldwide struggle to improve and enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
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Eunice started her life's work in her own backyard, affectionally dubbed Camp Shriver, where the first of countless small miracles began to occur.
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Of the thousands of phrases and paragraphs that Eunice has said or written about people with intellectual disabilities, one resonates: "A salvaged life."
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In 1968, the first Special Olympics Games were held in Chicago, moving Mayor Richard Daley to predict, "The world will never be the same after this."
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Involving millions of athletes and hundreds of nations, Special Olympics has grown into the largest, most important sports movement in history.
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In 1984, President Reagan presented Eunice with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian award for public service.
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"If you get to the head, you get to the heart." Eunice recruited the support of the world's most influential leaders for the Special Olympics movement.
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Born into a family that has come to symbolize service, Eunice and her husband Sargent Shriver have instilled that commitment in their own children.
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Sargent Shriver helped build peace by developing and implementing programs and policies structured to promote long-term, cumulative, peaceable change.
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The first Very Special Christmas album was released in 1987, supporting the Special Olympics. Raising over $55 million, more than any other benefit series.
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Eunice has attracted the support of many athletes, entertainers, and celebrities who act as public ambassadors for the Special Olympics movement.
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One of Eunice's greatest priorities has been to create a place of welcome for the families of athletes, and to strengthen family life through Special Olympics.
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Every interaction between Eunice and a Special Olympics athlete is meaningful, "Everything she has said the athletes to be, she is herself."
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Coaching is provided, striving to improve is implicit, competing your guts out during meets is expected.
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View All VideosWatch Videos
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Maria Shriver:
The Groundbreaking Camp Shriver -
NBC News Report:
Her efforts to help people with disabilities circles the globe. -
Eunice Kennedy Shriver:
Talks about the work yet to be done for people with intellectual disabilities -
Senator Ted Kennedy:
Recounts Eunice's very special connection with their sister Rosemary
Post Your Own Tribute | View All TributesRecent Tributes
I Love Mrs. Shriver and all the work she has done for special olympics and getting it started! She is a good woman! Janet Finn | Posted on February 21, 2010
Unique is not a condemnation in my book. Its what sets you apart. Thanks for helping and giving so graciously of your time and energy to folks with disabilities. Your work and love for those will be your legacy. Stephanie Conger-lipton | Posted on February 18, 2010
i may of not known her, but i do know 1 thing if she didn't pave the way for people with disabilities, we would of never met people without disabilities as well. i mean the coaches and the volunteers. robyn dorton | Posted on February 15, 2010
IM SO BLESSED THAT I GOT TO MEET MRS. SHRIVER IN 2006 IN AMIES IOWA WHEN I WAS THERE FOR NATIONAL GAMES THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING I WILL PRAYS' HER NAME EVERY DAY WHEN I PLAY A SPORT JAMES KINDRED | Posted on February 15, 2010
Taking a Leadership class in grad school she was the first person that came to mind; as a compassionate leader. Reading about her accomplishments, it made me want to volunteer. Mrs. Shriver is like a magnet, you are attracted to the goodness. Rebecca | Posted on February 8, 2010
i loved the things i done in Washington D C. Bertie Bernucho | Posted on February 7, 2010
I was deeply moved when I heard that Mrs. Shriver had passed away. I have known her as the driving force behind Special Olympics, till her very end. Together with all athletes and persons involved with Special Olympics I mourn her. What a great loss. Ria Evers-Dokter | Posted on February 2, 2010
Mrs. Shriver you were an amazing women! Greedily, I wish you were still with us so I could have the honor of meeting you! The sincerity, the courage, the faith you had in people with disabilities changed the world. You are my inspiration. Rest in peace. Christina Bolster | Posted on January 28, 2010
Our lives would be so impoverished if not for the vision that you had Eunice !!! Special Olympics has given him friends and a sense of accomplishment that enlarges his world. Thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of my heart. ! Fran Decker | Posted on January 26, 2010
Letters to Mrs. Shriver
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