Hubert
Humphrey once said that “the moral test of government is how it treats the children
... the sick, the needy and the handicapped.” Sure, the term “handicapped” is
no longer in use, but the sense of decency and dignity reflected in his remarks
remains eternal.
Few
understand and practice this conviction better than Special Olympics International CEO Mary
Davis. She has spent her entire career fighting injustice, intolerance, and
social isolation.
Davis
joined the Special Olympics after college and has held numerous leadership
positions there, such as CEO of Special Olympics Ireland and CEO of the first
Special Olympics World Summer Games.
I
volunteered at the Special Olympics in the 1990s. I was awestruck by the
strength, perseverance, grace, and kindness of our fellow citizens with
intellectual and physical disabilities. Their courage, determination, and
generosity stand in sharp contrast to the ghouls who would even think of eliminating U.S. national funding for them.
Mary
Davis is living the legacy Eunice Kennedy Shriver envisioned when she founded
the Special Olympics in 1968. Today, the organization serves five million
athletes in 172 nations. Born and raised in Ireland, Davis is the first CEO
from outside the U.S. in Special Olympics’ history.
A Special Olympics' motto is, "Let me win, but if I can't win, let me
be brave in the attempt.” Our world could certainly use more of this kind of bravery these days.
Image courtesy of Special Olympics.