Eunice Kennedy Shriver brought happiness to countless numbers of people. Due to her desire to reveal that

everyone, no matter who they are, has worth and that they can succeed, she changed many people’s lives.

Shriver started as a social worker at the penitentiary for women in Alderson, WV and then worked in Chicago at the House of the Good Shepherd and in the juvenile court. In 1957, Shriver was selected to direct the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation. The foundation was established in 1946 as a memorial to the family’s oldest son who was killed in World War II.

Shriver’s passion leading the Foundation led to many momentous achievements, including the development of The President’s Committee on Mental Retardation, establishment of the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, the founding of the Special Olympics, the establishment of "Community of Caring" programs in many public schools, and much more.

"She was a living prayer, a living advocate, a living center of power. She set out to change the world and to change us, and she did that and more. She founded the movement that became Special Olympics, the largest movement for acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities in the history of the world," the Kennedy family said.

Shriver thrived from her belief that every human is equal. Although she was a devoted and powerful democrat, Shriver was a major advocate of the pro-life movement. She was also a supporter of Feminists for Life of America, the Susan B. Anthony List and Democrats for Life of America. Shriver fought for rights that she believed all people are entitled to, no matter their age, color, gender, or if they suffered from disabilities. In 2006, she was selected ninth of the NCAA Centennial celebration as one of the 100 most-influential individuals.

"Inspired by her love of God, her devotion to her family, and her relentless belief in the dignity and worth of every human life, she worked without ceasing — searching, pushing, demanding, hoping for change," the Kennedy family said in response to Shriver’s death.

Throughout her admirable career, Shriver won many awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Ronald Reagan. She is the only person outside of U.S Presidents and First Ladies who has a historic portrait in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery, and is the only woman to have her portrait appear during her lifetime on a U.S coin—the commemorative Special Olympics silver dollar.

On Aug. 7, Shriver was admitted to the Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, MA with an undisclosed ailment. On Aug. 11, 2009, Shriver died at the hospital. She was 88-years-old.

"Her work transformed the lives of hundreds of millions of people across the globe, and they in turn are her living legacy," the Kennedy’s said.