Eunice Kennedy Shriver: Innovator in Equality

Eunice Kennedy Shriver
Innovator in Equality
Stephen Louie
Senior Division
Historical Paper
"As we hope for the best in them, hope is reborn in us."
-Eunice Kennedy Shriver
Every four years, an international sporting event of paramount importance is held in one
select country. Here, nearly two hundred countries gather in hopes of attaining a victory like no
other. It is for this event that three million athletes train year-round for this special moment in
their lives. While trading countless hours of practice and conditioning, each athlete dreams of
this day. This event is none other than the International Special Olympics, a year-round training
and athletic competition that gives individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to
compete in Olympic-themed sporting events. However, before this event existed, nobody would
expect that these individuals would be participating athletically, or be allowed out in public for
that matter. In fact, individuals with intellectual disabilities would be vitriolically labeled as
“retarded” holding little to no respect in the public eye. They would be continuously relegated to
inferior positions and segregated from the rest of society as if they were some plague or disease.
This, in Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s opinion, was unacceptable.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s innovative creation of the Special Olympics provided the
intellectually-disabled with an opportunity to compete in organized, athletic competitions. The
Special Olympics gave those with intellectual disabilities a sense of confidence, joy, and
determination and profoundly changed the world’s outlook on the intellectually-disabled.
THE DARK TIMES OF THE DISABLED
“The blind had their Helen Keller…The deaf had Beethoven…
Among the feeble-minded, there is none…”
-Dr. Maria Egg
Before the establishment of the Special Olympics, the intellectually-disabled were treated
in a much different fashion than today. Inaccurately diagnosed as a disease, the intellectually2
disabled were treated with fear and suspicion. A contributing factor to the discrimination was
the concept of Eugenics, which was especially popular in the first half of the twentieth century.
The fundamental belief of this concept was that the human race could be improved through the
use of selective breeding to ensure that the most superior genes were passed on to the next
generation. Though this concept contained altruistic intentions, the idea of selective breeding led
to the belief that the intellectually-disabled were a threat to humanity’s existence. This led to the
mandatory sterilization of intellectually disabled people in many states out of fear that their
genes may hamper the further progress of the human race. 1
It was also a generally accepted view that the intellectually-disabled were an inferior
people. Due to this, the overall treatment of the intellectually-disabled was egregiously
insufficient at best. Government support for the intellectually-disabled was limited, providing
few benefits to the already rejected populace. To address this problem, creating institutions for
the intellectually-disabled seemed like the perfect solution. Around 1920, the intellectuallydisabled changed from living at home with their families to living in institutions and asylums. 2
These asylums and institutions, however, were poorly maintained and funded. Living conditions
were filthy and facilities were over-crowded and poorly staffed. Residents suffered from
bullying, neglect, sexual abuse, and unemployment and were largely ignored by the American
populace who either didn’t know or care.
THE FIFTH KENNEDY
"Necessity is the mother of invention"
-Plato
1. Edward Shorter, The Kennedy Family and the History of Mental Retardation. Philadephia: Temple University Press, 2000 , pp. 14-19. Print.
2. Edward Shorter, pp 16-17.
3
On July 10, 1921, Eunice Mary Shriver was born in Brookline, Massachusetts to Joseph
Patrick Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. Being only the fifth of the nine Kennedy
children, Shriver faced extreme competition between her siblings. However, this proved to be of
little concern for her. In her youth, Eunice proved herself able to match her brothers in sports and
academics, excelling in tennis, swimming, sailing, and touch football and graduating from
Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology. 3 Despite her competitive spirit,
Shriver was also a dedicated family member, who continued to support her siblings when they
needed her.
Eunice’s attitude proved especially true for her older sister, Rosemary Kennedy, who was
diagnosed as “mildly retarded.” Eunice would take extra measures to ensure that Rosemary felt
included during family events. However, as Rosemary grew older, she would often be subject to
unpredictable behavior and violent mood swings, making it somewhat difficult to care for her.
In 1941, doctors suggested that Rosemary undergo a new procedure, known as a lobotomy, as a
solution to cure her present state. Hoping to help his daughter, Joseph Kennedy agreed to this
procedure. While the surgery did succeed in calming her mood swings, it also had an adverse
affect on her. The lobotomy had in fact made her mental retardation even worse, reducing her
mentality to a childlike state. After this, Rosemary would be moved to an institution, the St.
Coletta School for Exceptional Children in Jefferson, Wisconsin. However, she would still
receive frequent visits from her sister Eunice, who would always keep her company.
Rosemary’s suffering would have a profound impact on Eunice. Witnessing the anguish
of Rosemary and many others in run-down institutions evoked strong emotions within Shriver.
Frustrated and angry with the lack of attention given to this important matter, Shriver resolved
3
Laurence Learner, The Kennedy Women: The Saga of an American Family. New York: Villard Books, 1994, pp. 335-336. Print.
4
that she would take the first step in the long road ahead toward improving the lives of those with
intellectual disabilities. 4
CAMP SHRIVER AND BEYOND
"She has made such an extraordinary difference in the lives of people around the world."
-Senator Ted Kennedy, brother of Eunice Kennedy Shriver
Before she could make any progress on the issue, Shriver needed a basis to start from.
The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation was founded in 1946 by Joseph Patrick Kennedy Sr. in
memory of his son who died in World War II. In 1957, Eunice Shriver, along with her husband,
Sargent Shriver, whom she married in 1953, took the lead of this foundation in order to achieve
two things: to help the prevention of mental disabilities by discovering the causes of the illness
and to improve the treatment of intellectually disabled people in society. Through Shriver’s
efforts, the foundation made astounding progress. With the help of President Kennedy, The
President's Committee on Mental Retardation was established in 1961. This in turn brought the
issue of intellectual disabilities to the public eye. The foundation would then continue to support
the establishment of numerous organizations and networks dedicated to supporting the welfare of
the intellectually disabled. 5
The catalyst for the Special Olympics would come in 1962 with the establishment of
Camp Shriver. In 1962, a mother desperately called Shriver to ask for advice. She was unable to
find a single summer camp that would accept her son, who was intellectually disabled. Upon
hearing this, Shriver began looking for a way to fill the gap left by the public education system.
She created Camp Shriver to provide summer activities for special-needs children. Recruiting
local high school and college kids to act as counselors for the campers, Shriver set up the camp
4
5
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, "Hope for Retarded Children," The Saturday Evening Post, 22 Sept. 1962. Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Web. 10 Nov. 2009.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health. Web. 2 Dec. 2009 <http://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/overview/history/ >.
5
at her family estate in Timberlawn, Maryland. Camp Shriver became a stunning success where
counselors and intellectually disabled kids played and had fun together. More importantly, the
relationships developed in the camp taught the once-skeptical counselors that they were not
really that different from the special-needs kids. Over time, Camp Shriver began to grow in size
and popularity with more campers and counselors attending each year. This small camp would
eventually grow into something much more profound: the Special Olympics.
BUILDING THE OLYMPIC DREAM
“Let me win, but if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt”
- Special Olympics oath
In 1968, Anne Burke, a Chicago teacher, wanted to hold a summer track and field event
for those with intellectual disabilities. Aware of Shriver’s mission to help the intellectually
disabled, Burk turned to Shriver for help. Shriver agreed to help, but suggested making it a
national event and provided funding through the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation. Thus would
begin the first Special Olympic Games.
On July 20, 1968, the first Olympic Games were held at Soldier Field in Chicago,
Illinois. 1,000 athletes from 26 states and Canada marched onto the field viewed by a crowd of
less than 100 people in the stands. There they recited the Olympic oath and thus began the fourday event.
While largely ignored by the press and dismissed by the general public, this event could
hardly be called a failure. In fact, this event became an important milestone for the intellectually
disabled. The Chicago games acted as a catalyst that would set off what would become the
Special Olympics. Following the Chicago games, many other states soon began to participate,
bringing with them more athletes and publicity. In 1971 the U.S. Olympic Committee gave the
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Special Olympics official approval to use the name “Olympics” in the United States. In
February 1977, the first International Special Olympics Winter Games were held in Steamboat
Springs, Colorado with all the major U.S. television networks covering the Games. In 1988, the
International Olympic Committee signed a historic agreement with Sargent and Eunice Kennedy
Shriver, officially recognizing and endorsing the Special Olympics. Today, more than three
million athletes from 181 countries compete in the Special Olympics. Special Olympic Games
have now been held around the world in countries such as South Africa, Ireland, and China. In
July 2008, the Special Olympics celebrated its 40th anniversary. 6
TODAY
“She was not only a wonderful mother, but a global leader who changed the world for
millions of people. I know that her legacy will live on through the people she has touched
throughout her lifetime and beyond.”
-Maria Shriver, First Lady of California 7
The Special Olympics made a significant impact on society by giving the general
population the opportunity to get to know those with intellectual disabilities. The sight of seeing
these former outcasts as athletes changed the public opinion of the intellectually-disabled
forever. As a result of Shriver’s efforts, the treatment of the intellectually disabled improved
exponentially.
The Special Olympics organization has continued to grow in its efforts to improve the
quality of life for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics athletes participate
year round in both recreational and competitive sports such as swimming, running, basketball,
and skiing. After recognizing that the disabled have many unique and untreated medical and
6
7
Joseph Shapiro, "Eunice Kennedy Shriver's Olympic Legacy," National Public Radio. 5 Apr. 2007. NPR. Web. 10 Dec. 2009
Shriver, Maria. Letter to author. 2 Apr. 2010.
7
dental diseases, health and preventative medicine programs are now a part of many of the athletic
events. 8
While continuing her fight for the advocacy for the intellectually disabled, Shriver’s age
began to catch up to her. Suffering from a debilitating stroke, many encouraged her to stop
working and retire. Despite these setbacks, Shriver remained dedicated to her work and
continued her efforts to improve the lives of the intellectually disabled. 9 She continued to do this
till on the sad day of August 11, 2009, when she passed away. Though she is gone, Shriver’s
legacy lives on through the efforts of her children. Tim Shriver is the Chairman and CEO of the
Special Olympics. Anthony is the Founder and Chairman of Best Buddies International.
Daughter Maria, who is First Lady of California and sons Bobby and Mark are all involved in
public service and continue to support the work to improve the lives of the intellectually
disabled.
In speaking about the Special Olympics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver once stated, “all human
beings are created equal in the sense that each has the capacity and a hunger for moral
excellence, for courage, for friendship and for love. Whatever the speed of our feet or the power
of our arms, each of us is capable of these highest virtues. Intelligence does not limit love, nor
does wealth produce friendship.” 10 Through the Special Olympics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver
helped enrich and improve the quality of life for those with intellectual disabilities. In addition,
she helped the world learn that recognizing the dignity, the talents, and the worth of every
individual inspires the humanity in us all.
8
PR Newswire, "Special Olympics' Shriver Meets with Chinese President Hu Jin Tao to Celebrate Upcoming 2007 World Games in China." PR Newswire, 2 Mar.
2004. Web. 11 Nov. 2009.
9
Colman McCarthy, "Energetic Champion for the Disabled," Editorial. National Catholic Reporter. 12 Oct. 2007. National Catholic Reporter. Web. 17 Nov. 2009.
10
Edward Shorter, The Kennedy Family and the History of Mental Retardation.
8
Annotated Bibliography
Primary Sources
Clinton, Bill. "Remarks honoring Eunice Kennedy Shriver at the Special Olympics dinner."
30th anniversary of the Special Olympics. White House Lawn. 21 Dec. 1998.
Speech. Web. 11 Nov. 2009.
This is a speech by President Bill Clinton at the 30th anniversary of the Special
Olympics. He praises Eunice Kennedy Shriver and her efforts toward helping the
intellectually disabled. He speaks of how the Special Olympics has given the mentally
handicapped the opportunity to participate in competitive sports and the global effect this
will have on the world.
Downes, Lawrence. "One Special Olympian." Editorial. The New York Times. 14 Aug. 2009.
New York Times. Web. 10 Dec. 2009.
This article is a unique perspective from a brother who had siblings with Down’s
Syndrome. The author reminisces about how his two brothers were allowed to compete in
the Special Olympics. He expresses his gratitude towards Eunice Shriver for allowing his
brothers the chance to be recognized as people. I learned how the Special Olympics not
only affected the intellectually disabled, but the non-impaired as well.
Kennedy, Rose Fitzgerald. Times to Remember. New York: Doubleday, 1974. Print.
This is an autobiography written by Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, the mother of Eunice
Shriver. The book details the lives of her various children. It gives valuable insight into
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Eunice’s early life and her relationship with Rose. It also describes her work with the
mentally handicapped.
McCarthy, Colman. "Energetic Champion for the Disabled." Editorial. National Catholic
Reporter. 12 Oct. 2007: 19. National Catholic Reporter. Web. 17 Nov. 2009.
This personal column describes the author's experience with meeting Shriver. The article
describes that even at the age of 87, Shiver continued her work despite having a stroke.
The author reflects on the impression she left on him and how it has changed him.
Sandomir, Richard. "The Mother of the Special Olympics." The New York Times. 12 Aug.
2009. The New York Times. Web. 10 Dec. 2009.
This article was written after the death of Eunice Shriver. It interviews several Special
Olympic athletes that knew her. The athletes share their memories of her and how she
changed their lives. The article shows the reader how much it means for someone with
special needs to be able to take part in this event.
Shapiro, Joseph. "Eunice Kennedy Shriver's Olympic Legacy." National Public Radio. 5 Apr.
2007. National Public Radio. Web. 10 Dec. 2009.
This article covers Eunice Shriver’s life from growing up as a Kennedy to her work as an
advocate for the mentally handicapped. I learned about her relationship with her sister
Rosemary and how she cared for her. Insight is given on the lengths Shriver went to
establish the Special Olympics.
10
Shriver, Eunice Kennedy. "Hope for Retarded Children." The Saturday Evening Post. 22 Sept.
1962. Eunice Kennedy Shriver: One Woman’s Vision. Special Olympics, Web. 10 Nov.
2009.
This article was written by Eunice Shriver. It describes her relationship to Rosemary
Kennedy, her sister who suffered form intellectual disabilities. The article explains how
Rosemary's condition motivated her to help the mentally disabled.
---. “The Sun Has Burst Through.” Parade Magazine. 2 Feb. 1964. Eunice Kennedy Shriver:
One Woman’s Vision. Special Olympics, Web. 7 Nov. 2009.
This article was written by Eunice Shriver herself. The article encourages people to
become actively involved with helping the mentally retarded. It gives advice to families
that may be experiencing difficulties living with someone who is intellectually disabled.
Shriver, Maria. Letter to the author. 2 Apr. 2010.
---. "The Unfinished Revolution." Essay. Time. 14 Oct. 2009. Time. Web. 8 Dec. 2009.
This essay was written by Maria Shriver, the daughter of Eunice Shriver. The author
reflects on her past memories of her mother after she had died. She discusses the legacies
left behind and how she was a trailblazer for many women. This essay gave some
additional perspective on Shriver’s motivation behind establishing the Olympic Games.
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Secondary Sources
“Camp Shriver – The Beginnings of a Movement.” Eunice Kennedy Shriver: One Woman’s
Vision. Special Olympics, n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2009.
Eidelman, Steve. "Eunice Kennedy Shriver, 1921-2009." Policy & Practice 67.5 Oct. 2009: 41.
http://find.galegroup.com. Web. 2 Dec. 2009.
This academic journal was written after the death of Eunice Kennedy Shriver. It details
the numerous works of Shriver. It also explains the impact of Shriver's efforts on society
and the author's personal encounter with her.
“Eunice Kennedy Shriver, 1921-2009 Special Olympics." Eunice Kennedy Shriver: One
Woman’s Vision. Special Olympics, n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2009.
This biographical essay details the life of Eunice Kennedy Shriver. The essay covers the
early years of Eunice's life and political career. It discusses the strides she made in
working to help the mentally disabled and the honors she received.
Green, Michelle. "Eunice Shriver's Olympian Friends." People Weekly, 17 Aug. 1987, 30. Web.
6 Dec. 2009. < http://find.galegroup.com/srcx/>.
This article focuses on the Seventh International Summer Special Olympics Games in
1987. It covers the various individuals who took part in the event and their contributions.
“History of the Special Olympics.” Special Olympics. n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2009.
12
This article gave a chronological list of all the important dates in the history and
development of the Special Olympics.
Learner, Laurence. The Kennedy Women: The Saga of an American Family. New York: Villard
Books, 1994. Print.
This book covers the lives Rose Kennedy and her children. It contains information on the
various Kennedy women; including Eunice Shriver. The book details Eunice's connection
to Rosemary Kennedy; and elaborates on the motivation behind Eunice's work to help the
intellectually disabled.
McCallum, Jack. "Eunice Kennedy Shriver 1921--2009. Scorecard: Life On and Off the Field.”
Obituary. Sports Illustrated, 24 Aug. 2009, 19. Web. 9 Nov. 2009.
<http://find.galegroup.com/srcx/>.
This article covers the impact the Special Olympics had on the world. The article gives
important statistical information such as the number of participants that compete and the
type of events.
--- "Small Steps, Great Strides." Sports Illustrated. 8 Dec. 2008. Eunice Kennedy Shriver: One
Woman’s Vision. Special Olympics, Web. 14 Dec. 2009.
This article describes the lasting legacy the Special Olympics. The author writes how the
Special Olympics had a tremendous influence in the global community with over a
hundred countries participating and over three million athletes competing. This article
gives important information on the statistics of the Special Olympics.
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McDonnel, Terry. "Long Time Coming." Editorial. Sports Illustrated. 8 Dec. 2008. Sports
Illustrated. Web. 14 Dec. 2009
This editorial honors Eunice Kennedy Shriver as the recipient of the Sports Illustrated
Sportsman of the Year Legacy Award for her tireless efforts on behalf of the Special
Olympics. The article gives an insight on how both athletes and non-impaired volunteers
and observers were affected by this innovation.
Mossman, Jennifer, ed. Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2nd ed. Detroit: Gale Group, 1999.
S.v.
This biographical essay details the life of Eunice Kennedy Shriver. The essay covers the
early years of Eunice’s life and political career. It also details what inspired her to
establish the Special Olympics and the strides she made in working to help the mentally
disabled and the honors she received.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. National Instititutes of Health.
Web. 2 Dec. 2009. <http://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/overview/ history/ > .
This organization works to advance the scientific study of the causes and effects of
people with intellectual disabilities. The organization was founded by John F. Kennedy
under the encouragement of his sister Eunice Shriver. This shows how a field of science
to study mental retardation was developed because of Shriver's work. This is one of the
lasting legacies of Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
14
PR Newswire. "Special Olympics' Shriver Meets with Chinese President Hu Jin Tao to Celebrate
Upcoming 2007 World Games in China." PR Newswire. 2 Mar. 2004. Web. 11 Nov.
2009. <http://find.galegroup.com/srcx/>.
This newswire details a meeting between Chinese President Hu Jin Tao and Timothy
Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics. They discuss the upcoming Special
Olympics World Summer Games held in Shanghai in 2007. They also discuss the effect
the Special Olympics had on China. It shows the improvement of a country that once
imprisoned their mentally handicapped to the acceptance and recognition in the Special
Olympics.
Shorter, Edward. The Kennedy Family and the History of Mental Retardation. Philadelphia:
Temple University Press, 2000. Print.
In addition to covering the background of the Kennedy's history with mental retardation,
this book gives perspective on how the mentally retarded were treated in America. It
contains great detail about the history of the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation and the
involvement of Eunice and Sargent Shriver in the development of the foundation.
Unsworth, Tim. "Drawn to a Life of Distinguished Service." National Catholic Reporter. 12 July
1996. National Catholic Reporter. Web. 1 Dec. 2009.
This article commends Eunice and Sargent Shriver for their humanitarian efforts and
gives praise to Eunice's work for the Special Olympics and Camp Shriver.
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Appendix I
The Kennedy Family. From the left, the Kennedy children: Edward, Jeanne, Robert, Patricia,
Eunice, Kathleen, Rosemary, and John stand next to their parents, Rose and Joseph Patrick
Kennedy, in London 1937. Not pictured is the eldest child Joseph Patrick Jr.
Courtesy of the Special Olympics.
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Appendix II
Camp Shriver. Eunice Shriver helps a camper learn how to swim at Camp Shriver, a non-profit
camp for the intellectually disabled established by Shriver at her home in Maryland.
From Eunice Kennedy Shriver: One Woman’s Vision.
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Appendix III
First Special Olympic Games. Eunice Shriver overlooking Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois at
the first Olympic Games on July 20, 1968.
From Eunice Kennedy Shriver: One Woman’s Vision
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