Global Leadership Team

On the podcast Laughter Permitted with Julie Foudy, Special Olympics Chief Inspiration Officer Loretta Claiborne discussed her experiences being bullied, recalled finding her voice through Special Olympics and shared her hopes for the future.

A Transformative Gift from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Will Promote Positive Social Change and Foster More Inclusive Societies

Loretta Claiborne always fought for equal rights growing up. It started as a young child and transitioned into her role as Chief Inspiration Officer for Special Olympics and as a member of the board of directors. During a time of sizable racial divide in the 1960s, she had to fight for inclusion because of her skin color, but also because she had different abilities. A fight she keeps alive to this day.

Planning for the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2022 is officially underway as Kazan, Russia was announced as official host city of the Games. Despite social distancing restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, enthusiasm about the announcement was shared virtually.

In a recent article by Glamour, Loretta Claiborne discusses using her life to teach others how to be more inclusive and empathic.

Special Olympics Board Chairman, Timothy Shriver and his daughter Kathleen get candid about social distancing, social media and the legacy left by the women in the family.

In a Washington Post Op-Ed, Special Olympics Chairman of the Board Timothy Shriver addresses the gap in healthcare that has become even more apparent for people with intellectual disabilities during the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Loretta Claiborne was born the middle of seven children in a poor, single-parent family in York, Pennsylvania. Partially blind and with intellectual disabilities, she was unable to walk or talk until four-years-old. Today, Claiborne is an accomplished athlete, motivational speaker, member of the Special Olympics International Board of Directors, and Chief Inspiration Officer for Special Olympics.

Loretta Claiborne is the Vice Chair of the Special Olympics Board of Directors and athlete from Pennsylvania. In this expert tip video, she demonstrates how to make a friendship bracelet.

Timothy Shriver and Roger P. Weissberg defend Social and Emotional Learning in an article published by the education journal Phi Delta Kappan.