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Eunice Shriver, Special Olympics Founder, Dies At 88
By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 11, 2009
Modified Aug 11, 2009
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By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 11, 2009
Modified Aug 11, 2009
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Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a scion of the Kennedy clan and founder of the Special Olympics, passed away at age 88 at hospital in Cape Cod, Massachusetts early this morning. While she was famous for being sister to John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Edward Kennedy and mother to Maria Shriver (and mother-in-law to Arnold Schwarzenegger), Shriver was notable in her own right, for "transforming America's view of the mentally disabled from institutionalized patients to friends, neighbors and athletes. Her efforts were inspired in part by the struggles of her mentally disabled sister, Rosemary." The NY Times notes that a 1993 U.S. News and World Report article said, compared with her brothers' storied public service accomplishments, "the changes wrought by Eunice Shriver may well be seen as the most consequential." The Special Olympics, which she founded in 1968, now gives 3 million people around the world a chance to participate in competitions between the every-two-years Special Olympics World Games—the NYC Special Olympics' fall invitational is next month—and tributes are pouring in at the Special Olympics website.
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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