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Eunice Kennedy Shriver

A Global Leader Advocating around the World

Eunice's ability to solicit the assistance of world leaders—to be respectful yet not cowed, to be mindful of procedure yet relentless was a major reason for the global expansion of Special Olympics.

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Global LeadersEunice Kennedy Shriver waves with Special Olympics South Africa athlete Matsobane Mojapelo while sitting with former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela in celebration of his 84th birthday.
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Eunice and her husband Sargent Shriver join President Carlos Menem of Argentina, Maria Tassara, Valeria Mazza, Alejandro Gravier and Carlos Otero prior to a gala for Special Olympics Argentina.
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Actor Christopher Reeve, U.S. Vice President George H. W. Bush and Eunice wave to athletes as part of the premier of the movie "Superman."
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U.S. President Ronald Reagan presents Special Olympics athletes with awards during a ceremony at the White House in 1984.
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Eunice's son and Special Olympics Chairman, Tim Shriver, Special Olympics athlete Loretta Claiborne, Eunice, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown attend the first Special Olympics marathon, held on the last day of the 1995 World Games in New Haven, Connecticut.
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Eunice, U.S. Olympic speed skater Bonnie Blair, U.S. President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton at Opening Ceremonies of the 1995 World Games in New Haven, Connecticut.
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Marta Larraechea de Fre, former First Lady of Chile, Eunice, and Mr. Eduardo Frei, former President of Chile, at the 1998 Summit of Spouses of Heads of State of the Americas in Santiago, Chile.
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Eunice attends the 8th Conference of the Spouses of Heads of State and Government of the Americas in Santiago, Chile in 1998. Pictured with Eunice are Ruth Epsey Romero, spouse of Ambassador and Special Olympics Board Member Peter Romero; First Lady of Honduras, Mary Flake de Flores; and President of Special Olympics Honduras, Ana Maria Canales.
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U.S. President Gerald Ford and his wife, Betty, (center) pose with Eunice and other luminaries during the world premiere of the movie "Funny Lady." McCallum in Blue Link.
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Eunice is greeted by Nelson Mandela and President Mary McAleese of Ireland during the Opening Ceremonies of the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland.
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Pope John Paul II congratulates a Special Olympics athlete who was visiting the Vatican in 2003.
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Eunice with her son-in-law Arnold Schwarzenegger at his inauguration as Governor of California.
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His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan joins Eunice as they watch the Parade of Athletes during the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Nagano, Japan.
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President Hu Jintao of the Peoples Republic of China greets Special Olympics athlete Jia Surai while Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver and Eunice look on.
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Special Olympics athlete and Board Member Florence Nabayinda, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, his wife Nane, Wang Guangya China's ambassador to the United Nations.