Generational Firestarters
Meet Eunice and Maria Shriver
In this viral photo, President Kennedy hands the pen he used in 1963 to sign the Child and Mental Health Bill to advocate Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Below, President Biden hands the pen he used in 2024 to sign an Executive Order on Advancing Women’s Health Research and Innovation to Eunice’s daughter, advocate Maria Shriver. Sixty one years apart, these women — each a firestarter in her own right — made huge strides in protecting American lives. I had the honor of interviewing Maria recently for my upcoming book, and wanted to share some excerpts from that conversation about how her advocacy was impacted by her mother’s legacy.
Maria’s mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who was born in 1921, spent her life advocating for children with special needs. A social worker and activist, Eunice’s activism was inspired by the struggles of her sister, Rosemary, who had an intellectual disability. In 1968, Eunice started what would become the world's largest athletic competition for mentally disabled children and adults. Now, more than 1 million athletes in more than 160 countries participate in Special Olympics meets each year.
Listen to my discussion with Maria about her relationship with her mom
Maria has continued her mother’s legacy of activism. In 2003, after her father Sargent was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Maria became an advocate and fundraiser for patient care and research. And earlier this month, the signing Maria attended at the White House was the culmination of her lifelong goal to increase the federal government’s investment in women’s health. The Executive Order on Advancing Women’s Health Research and Innovation “accelerates research that will provide the tools we need to prevent, diagnose, and treat conditions that affect women uniquely, disproportionately, or differently.” Maria was cited in First Lady Jill Biden’s remarks announcing this Executive Order for her tireless work in bringing women’s health to the forefront:
“Maria, you live your mother’s words purely, lovingly, and relentlessly. Thank you for your life’s work and for being an amazing partner on this effort,” First Lady Jill Biden
Listen to Maria talk about what she hopes for the future of women’s health.
Both of these women have led the way for massive change in the lives of women and children, and their tireless work will positively impact the lives of Americans for generations to come.