Eunice Kennedy Shriver and the Special Olympics

By Jessica Weiss

Eunice Kennedy Shriver dedicated her life to advocating for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities. Her hard work and devotion directly contributed to both governmental reforms and a greater societal acceptance of those with intellectual disabilities. Born in Brookline, Massachusetts, on July 10, 1921, Shriver was the fifth child of Rose and Joseph P. Kennedy. After obtaining a sociology degree from Stanford University in 1943, Shriver began a public service career that included positions in the State Department’s Special War Problems Division, a juvenile delinquency initiative at the Justice Department, and social work in prisons and juvenile courts [1].

Shriver had a deep personal connection that caused her to develop an interest in advocacy. Her older sister, Rosemary Kennedy, struggled with developmental learning delays since childhood. Although Rosemary was active in family life and attended public school, she could not keep up with the competitiveness of her siblings and was often moved between different programs to help her. In the early 1940s, Joseph Kennedy became nervous that Rosemary’s increasingly unruly behavior would harm the family name. A risky lobotomy was performed on Rosemary, which left her permanently disabled and led to her institutionalization [2]. Shriver continued to be close with her sister, later crediting Rosemary’s resilience as the catalyst behind her determination to advocate for those with similar needs [1].

In 1957, Shriver became director of the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation, created in memory of her brother, who had died in World War II. Under her leadership, the foundation shifted its focus toward improving life for people with intellectual disabilities. She and her husband, Robert Sargent Shriver Jr., consulted leading researchers for advice and supported projects aimed at prevention and care, which included the first research center dedicated to intellectual disabilities at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1959 [3].

Moreover, Shriver worked with her brother, President John F. Kennedy, to bring intellectual disability advocacy to the national level. She encouraged him to develop initiatives such as the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development (1961) and a presidential advisory panel on intellectual disabilities. The foundation also created awards to recognize outstanding leadership in the field, encouraging more research [3].

In 1962, Shriver launched a summer camp for young people with intellectual disabilities in her backyard in Maryland. At “Shriver Camp,” children and adults could swim, ride horses, and attempt a variety of sports in an atmosphere that was encouraging and welcoming [1]. The program relied on volunteer counselors, mostly local high school and college students, who received training from specialists in the field, such as Dr. John Throne and Dr. George Jervis. That same year, Shriver first publicly shared Rosemary’s story, challenging the social stigma and shame often felt by families with an intellectually disabled sibling or child [3].

Noticing the success of the camp, Shriver and the Kennedy Foundation sought to explore how athletics could be used year-round to promote confidence, health, and learning. She taught physical education classes, advocated for national fitness programs for people with intellectual disabilities, and even proposed competitive events modeled after the Olympic Games. Soon, camps and track meets popped up in cities like Boston, Greensboro, and Chicago, hosting thousands of children by 1967 [3].

On July 20, 1968, the first Special Olympics Summer Games were held at Chicago’s Soldier Field. Organized by the Kennedy Foundation and the Chicago Park District, the event consisted of 1,000 athletes from 26 states and Canada and more than 200 competitions, including swimming, track and field, and team sports. During the opening ceremony, a teenage runner lit a “Flame of Hope” in memory of President Kennedy, symbolizing the spark of a new global movement. Later that year, Special Olympics, Inc. was formally established as a nonprofit organization. Shriver pledged to hold the international games every two years [3].

Beginning as a small backyard gathering, the Special Olympics has grown into one of the largest sports organizations in the world. Today, the games provide training and competition for more than 1.3 million children and adults in over 150 countries, helping athletes build skills, community, and confidence [1]. Shriver’s leadership not only advanced recreational opportunities but also reframed how society understands the abilities and worth of people with intellectual disabilities.

Her achievements and zeal led to global recognition. Shriver received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, France’s Legion of Honor, the Prix de la Couronne Française, the Mary Lasker Award, and the Philip Murray–William Green Award, among many other distinctions and honorary degrees from colleges [1]. She continued to be an outspoken advocate throughout her life, emphasizing the importance of inclusion over tolerance.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver passed away on August 11, 2009, leaving behind a monumental legacy. Through her dedication and compassion, she built on her personal experience into a worldwide campaign for justice and acceptance. The Special Olympics continues to carry on Shriver’s personal outlook that every individual, regardless of ability, deserves the opportunity to discover their strengths, participate fully, and be celebrated for being unique.

References

 [1] John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. (n.d.). Eunice Kennedy Shriver. https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/the-kennedy-family/eunice-kennedy-shriver

 [2] National Park Service. (n.d.). Rosemary Kennedy: The eldest Kennedy daughter. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/rosemary-kennedy-the-eldest-kennedy-daughter.htm

 [3] Special Olympics. (n.d.). History. https://www.specialolympics.org/about/history