Press Release
For Immediate Release
Special Olympics Founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver Honored in
Historic Painting at the National Portrait Gallery
Washington, D.C., 9 May 2009 – Today, at a private event, the National Portrait Gallery unveiled a historic portrait of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics founder, Best Buddies International Board Member, and champion of all people with intellectual disabilities. This historic painting is the first portrait the Gallery has ever commissioned of an individual who has not served as a U.S. President or First Lady, and will become a part of the permanent collection.
The portrait of Mrs. Shriver depicts her with several Special Olympics athletes and Best Buddies participants, including Airika Straka (Special Olympics Wisconsin), Katie Meade (Best Buddies Iowa), Andy Leonard (Special Olympics Ohio), Loretta Claiborne (Special Olympics Pennsylvania) and Marty Sheets (Special Olympics North Carolina).
“This portrait speaks volumes of my mother’s tireless efforts to change the lives of people with intellectual disabilities,” said Timothy Shriver, Special Olympics Chairman and CEO and one of Mrs. Shriver’s sons. “My mother and our entire family are truly moved that the National Portrait Gallery commissioned David Lenz to paint this incredible piece capturing her amazing connection with Best Buddies and Special Olympics.”
“This portrait reflects the passion of her life - investing in, supporting, and celebrating people with intellectual disabilities,” said Anthony Shriver, Founder and Chairman of Best Buddies International and one of Mrs. Shriver’s sons. “Because of my mother's relentless efforts, they have a very bright future.”
David Lenz, winner of the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition in 2006, was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery to paint Mrs. Shriver. Lenz was inspired by her international role as the founder of Special Olympics and by her dedication to working with people with intellectual disabilities.
Lenz’ son, Sam, who has Down syndrome, is an active and enthusiastic Special Olympics athlete. “This project is extremely meaningful to me because Mrs. Shriver has tirelessly advocated for people like Sam,” said Lenz. “She has led the world to be a more welcoming place for people with intellectual disabilities.”
Martin E. Sullivan, director of the Portrait Gallery, echoed Lenz’s comments. “Mrs. Shriver’s founding of Special Olympics has provided people who are intellectually disabled opportunities to thrive in our society,” said Sullivan. “Her efforts have transformed the lives of individuals worldwide; millions of athletes in 175 countries participate annually in Special Olympics Games.”
The individuals featured with Mrs. Shriver in the painting have all been leaders in the area of intellectual disabilities.
- Loretta Claiborne is a member of the Special Olympics International Board of Directors and her inspiring life story has been the feature of a Disney movie. Claiborne is an accomplished athlete, having run more than 25 marathons in her life, and is an internationally-known motivational speaker.
- Andy Leonard is a Special Olympics powerlifting athlete who has impressed all with his lifts of 352 pounds in the squat, 226 in the bench press and 424 in the deadlift. Originally from Vietnam, Leonard was adopted and has been living in the United States and has traveled around the world on behalf of Special Olympics.
- Special Olympics athlete Marty Sheets has been a lifelong member of the movement, having competed at the first Special Olympics Games in 1968 at Soldier Field in Chicago. Sheets has been a leader on the golf course and in his community and was recently recognized by his employer, Macy’s, for his more than 36 years of dedication.
- Katie Meade joined Best Buddies in 2002, and is currently a Buddy Ambassador. In this role, she travels around the world on behalf of the organization, giving motivational speeches and befriending people with and without intellectual disabilities. Meade is also an office generalist in the Polk County (Iowa) Treasurer’s Office, and a former Special Olympics athlete.
- Airika Straka, a Special Olympics athlete from Wisconsin, is just 12 years old, but has already proven her strength and courage by saving her mother’s life. Straka courageously talked to her school after her mother went into diabetic shock, enabling the school to send an ambulance to help.
Special Olympics
Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to nearly 3.1 million athletes in 175 countries in all regions of the world, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programs. Special Olympics now takes place every day, changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in places like China and from regions like the Middle East to the community playgrounds and ballfields in every small neighborhood. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org.
Best Buddies International
Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,400 middle school, high school and college campuses worldwide. Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 United States. We have accredited programs in 42 countries, with additional ones under active development. Our six formal programs – Best Buddies Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies and Jobs – positively impact more than 400,000 individuals with and without intellectual disabilities annually. As a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org.
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