Image courtesy of http://www.eunicekennedyshriver.org/bios/eks
On this day in 1921 Eunice Kennedy Shriver was born. Inspired by her disabled older sister Rosemary, Eunice founded the Special Olympics, with the aim of providing athletic opportunities for children with intellectual disabilities. The first event was held in July 1968 in Chicago and the movement soon spread globally. Eunice died in 2009 aged 88, but her influence in changing perceptions of those with intellectual disabilities was profound.
In 2009 Leicester hosted the Special Olympics, and we are fortunate to have a collection of documents, photographs and objects from the event. See the catalogue for more information.
H/T to A Mighty Girl for recognition of the anniversary.
About Katharine Short
When I was 13 every careers questionnaire I did at school suggested I become an archivist. In rebellion I studied History of Art at Cambridge and the Courtauld Institute before giving in to the inevitable and undertaking a qualification in Archives Administration at Aberystwyth University. I worked at King’s College London Archives and the London Metropolitan Archives before becoming the Archivist here at DMU in January 2013. My role is hugely varied: answering enquiries and assisting researchers, sorting, cataloguing, cleaning and packaging archival material, managing our environmentally controlled storage areas, giving seminars, talks and tours, researching aspects of University history, liaising with potential donors and advocating for the importance of archives within the organisation. I am one of those incredibly fortunate people who can say ‘I love my job’ and really mean it.
H/T to A Mighty Girl for recognition of the anniversary.