A tireless leader in the struggle to help individuals with mental retardation, Eunice Kennedy Shriver has improved life for millions of children, adults and families across America.

Eunice first became involved as an activist with persons with mental retardation when she was named executive vice president of the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation in 1953. Under her leadership, the Foundation changed its primary focus to research into the prevention of mental retardation and awarded millions of dollars in research grants.

For years Eunice also operated a day camp for children with mental retardation on a Maryland farm where she discovered many of the children excelled as athletes. That experience led to her creation of the Special Olympics, which became the largest program in the world for sports training and competition for the persons with mental retardation.

Eunice also established the Community of Caring program, which is designed to help prevent teen pregnancy, and was a driving force in the creation of the Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown University and a similar entity at Harvard University. In addition, she serves as a Member of the Board for Best Buddies, an international organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with mental retardation.

Eunice has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Legion of Honor, and was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1998.

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