“Don’t get discouraged. A door closes, another opens to let in the light and you see as never before!”

How She Empowers Others

Loretta Claiborne was the middle of seven children in a poor, single-parent family. Born partially blind and mildly retarded, she was unable to walk or talk until age 4.  Eventually, though, she began to run. And before she knew it, she had crossed the finish line of 25 marathons, twice placing among the top 100 women in the Boston Marathon. She’s carried the torch in the International Special Olympics, has won medals in dozens of its events, and also holds  the current women’s record in her age group for the 5000 meters at 17 minutes.

Today, Claiborne is a celebrated athlete who was honored in 1996 with ESPN’s ESPY Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. Her life is recounted in Walt Disney Productions The Loretta Claiborne Story (originally broadcast on ABC-TV and now on videocassette) and in the biography In Her Stride published by WorldScapes.  Considering all of Claiborne’s achievements, these are just small steps in her life’s mission to show that persons with mental and physical disabilities are equal to those without.

“I figured if my story could change a person’s mind about another person, or especially a child’s mind about another child, then it was the right thing to do,” Claiborne says.  Now in her early fifties, the athlete recalls a time when children taunted her for being different and how the taunting turned her into an angry young woman who was expelled from high school and fired from a job.

Although she loved to run and used her speed and strength to protect herself in fights against cruel classmates, she credits the Special Olympics with helping her realize that her tremendous athletic talent could be used to do good.

Claiborne was first introduced to Special Olympics by social worker Janet McFarland (played by Emmy Award-winner Camryn Manheim in the movie). She credits McFarland as well as her family, community, educators, Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver and her own strong spirituality with giving her the confidence necessary to become a world-class runner.

“If it weren’t for sports, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I was very angry before and sports was the arena that turned that around for me,” Claiborne says. “I got support from family, community and God — he is the strength of all and can make anything possible.”  The Loretta Claiborne Story not only outlines Claiborne’s personal and spiritual journey, but it shows her joyful, sometimes mischievous personality.

“In the simplest terms, it’s about possibility,” says executive producer Suzanne de Passe. “Loretta Claiborne’s life is uplifting and full of a sense of renewal. But it’s not humorless. It doesn’t hit you like a freight train with a somber, one-note refrain. This is also about a very engaging, funny personality.”

Running is not the only part of Claiborne’s life. She holds a black belt in karate, communicates in four languages, including sign language, and holds honorary doctorate degrees from Quinnipiac College and Villanova University, making her the first person with mental retardation known to receive such honors, according to the Special Olympics organization.

However, Claiborne says the most rewarding part of her life has been her involvement with the Special Olympics, and she wants to continue helping people with mental retardation and physical disabilities succeed.  She advises them, “Find an opportunity and seize it. Be the best you can be, and never let anyone doubt you.”

Claiborne runs every day — often about 5 miles, even when she plans to go only three or four. Just for the joy of it, the joy of the moment. It’s how she lives her life.  “I don’t really look toward the future because you don’t know what tomorrow will be bring,” she says. “You have to live your life for today.”

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As a young girl in Colombia, I promised myself that, someday, I would help change the lives of the barefoot, desperate children living in the parks around my home. I had the audacity of youth: I remember thinking that every child deserved the opportunity to learn. I also had the clarity of youth: I knew that all children deserved an equal chance.

When I was eighteen, I took the first steps toward keeping my promise. I started the Pies Descalzos (“Bare Feet”) Foundation in honor of the barefoot children who inspired me. The Foundation’s mission is to ensure that all children can exercise their right to a quality education and a chance to fulfill their true potential. We provide nutritious meals, quality education and psychological support to more than five thousand students and their families across Colombia.

Education is a right, not a privilege, and we need to treat it that way. Far too often, children who are born poor die poor, trapping too many children in a cycle of despair. Education is the most powerful way to break the cycle. Education affects every aspect of development. Research has shown that access to education increases wages, lowers the risk of disease and decreases the likelihood a child will turn to a destructive violent life. A single year of primary education can increase a girl’s wages by 10 to 20 percent later in life. We cannot possibly hope to thrive as a global community if we continue to turn our backs on the potential and talents of millions of children.

It’s difficult to believe that, in today’s world, 72 million kids don’t have access to any kind of education, and 226 million adolescents don’t attend secondary school. Hundreds of millions who do attend school can’t learn because of inadequate teachers, lack of supplies or empty stomachs.

Our schools in Colombia are proving each and every day that no matter where a child is from, no matter how poor they are, they can thrive if given the chance. The best part of my work is watching students blossom and make something of their lives. Last year, a student from a Pies Descalzos school placed 14th out of the whole country in Colombia’s national exams. He came from extreme poverty and suffered from malnutrition as a child. Today, he’s in college and working to use his education to give back to his community. We have seen that every child has a contribution to share.

Now, we are bringing our model to the U.S. and the rest of the world. Education for every child is within our reach. Let’s make a commitment to the children of the world. Let us tell them — today — that we see their value, no matter where they happen to have been born or how difficult their circumstances. Let’s make clear that we believe in them and that through hard work they can improve their lives. Let’s commit to giving them the tools they need to build our future.

Shakira with the students of the Barefoot Foundation

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During this economic crisis, many Californians are struggling to feed their families and provide life’s essentials. First Lady Maria Shriver is calling on all attendees of The Women’s Conference 2008 to help alleviate the food shortage in California.

The Women’s Conference Food Drive

14,000 of us will be gathering together at The Women’s Conference this year. Let us use the power of WE to help families in need.

Please bring one non-perishable item with you to The Women’s Conference on Wednesday, October 22.

We will make it easy for you to donate to the Food Drive. Collection barrels will be located at both entrances to the Long Beach Convention Center.  Food donations will be collected from 7:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Please DO bring a can or non-glass package of any of the following foods:
•    Tuna, chicken or beef
•    Soup, vegetables, fruit, beans
•    Grains, rice or pasta
•    Peanut Butter (only in a plastic jar)

Please DO NOT bring anything perishable or in a glass container.

The Women’s Conference is partnering with the California Association of Food Banks and the LA Regional Food Bank in this effort.

Thank you for being a part of our WE.

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Morning Session

Tough Leadership Decisions in Tough Times

Gov. Schwarzenegger, Sir Richard Branson & Sheila Bair, moderator: Robin Roberts

Cheryl Saban, Eve Ensler, Somaly Mam

Lunch Session

David Gregory on A Woman’s Nation

A Woman’s Nation: The Status of the American Woman

Madeleine K. Albright, Amy Holmes, Valerie Jarrett, Claire Shipman, mod: David Gregory

Katie Couric: A Trailblazer Reflects on Her Journey From Here to There

Maria Shriver on Grieving

Grief, Healing & Resilience

Elizabeth Edwards, Lisa Niemi, Susan St. James, mod: Maria Shriver

Afternoon Breakout Conversation

Women Who Use Their Voices to Change the World

Geena Davis, Nicholas Kristof, Lisa Ling, Somaly Mam, mod: Pat Mitchell

Minerva Awards 2009

Nicholas Kristof on the Global Women’s Crusade

Caroline Kennedy on Education & Public Service

Agnes Stevens – Minerva Award Winner

Helen Waukazoo – Minerva Award Winner

Dr. Kathy Hull – Minerva Award Winner

Dr. Jane Goodall – Minerva Award Winner

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Watch Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s video message welcoming you to The Women’s Conference 2008 and view more information on the webcast and Night at The Village, which begins tonight at 5 PM PDT. Make sure you follow us on our Twitter @thewomensconf!

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