WASHINGTON, DC – 15 September 2020: Special Olympics announced actor, singer, and New York Times best-selling author Maureen McCormick has joined the movement as a Special Olympics Global Ambassador. McCormick, best known for her role as Marcia Brady on the ABC sitcom, The Brady Bunch, is focusing her efforts on access to quality healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities (ID), and empowering people with ID and their siblings to create a new generation of leaders for inclusion.
“Special Olympics is excited to welcome entertainment icon Maureen McCormick to the global movement. Maureen’s recognition transcends generations, which will help Special Olympics link our legacy of sports to inclusive health and the significant role of siblings as catalysts for our movement.”
McCormick credits her motivation to become a Special Olympics Global Ambassador to her relationship with her brother Denny and their parents’ unyielding efforts for his inclusion in mainstream schools. McCormick understands all too well that siblings like herself are key connectors and advocates for inclusive services and programming for their siblings with ID.
“I have been dedicated to fighting for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities since I was a teenager. It is an honor to join Special Olympics to ensure people like my brother Denny are included and valued in our schools, health care system, and communities. I am passionate about creating a more inclusive world for people with intellectual disabilities and look forward to my role as a Special Olympics Global Ambassador.”
As a Special Olympics Global Ambassador, McCormick will focus on raising awareness around health disparities faced by people with ID and how Special Olympics is increasing access to quality inclusive healthcare. As part of the Spread the Word >> Inclusion campaign, she will build support for inclusion of people with ID as a media spokesperson, thought leader, and social media influencer.
No stranger to Special Olympics, in 2019 McCormick took part in the Special Olympics and Best Buddies campaign, Spread the Word >> Inclusion—an annual day of awareness to give community leaders around the world the tools they need to create socially inclusive places to learn, work, and live. In 2020, McCormick participated in Special Olympics Capitol Hill Day, where she advocated alongside US athletes for nation-wide inclusive health and education.
In addition to her role on The Brady Bunch, McCormick is the New York Times bestselling author of the 2008 autobiography Here’s the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice. She is also a stage actor, singer, and designer, appearing in HGTV’s Emmy ®-nominated series A Very Brady Renovation and the upcoming season of Brother vs. Brother with Drew and Jonathan Scott. McCormick will appear in HGTV’s Frozen In Time, where she and designer Dan Vickery will renovate homes with outdated décor.
McCormick joins high-profile Special Olympics Global Ambassadors, including Avril Lavigne, Brooklyn Decker Roddick, Devin Booker, John C. McGinley, Michael Phelps, Michelle Kwan, Nadia Comaneci, Vanessa Williams, and more. Global Ambassadors are leaders in sports, entertainment, and media who use their voices to smash barriers and foster a world of inclusion.
About Special Olympics
Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health, and leadership. With more than six million athletes and Unified Sports partners in over 190 countries and territories and more than one million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and over 100,000 games and competitions every year. Engage with us on: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedInand our blog on Medium. Learn more at www.SpecialOlympics.org.
