Prior to this week, I had a completely different understanding of the word empowerment and what it means for nonprofit organizations; furthermore, how this relates to being a “leader.”
This week I was able to learn more about the personal story behind the establishment of Best Buddies International and see how it relates to each individual who volunteers or works for the organization. What many people don’t know is that the founder of Best Buddies International, Anthony Kennedy Shriver, is the son of Eunice Kennedy, the founder of Special Olympics, and the nephew of Rosemary Kennedy, a member of the famous Kennedy Family who was unknown to many because of her Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD). Best Buddies International was started because Anthony Kennedy Shriver used his position to be a leader and saw the importance of empowering individuals with IDD and providing them with close friendships to help them uncover their talents, capabilities and own leadership qualities.
This took me back to a discussion I had with my fellow Summer Fellows and what it means to be a “leader,” and that what one perceives as a leader will vary depending on perspective and position. Within my role with Best Buddies International, my perspective of a leader has shifted and I now see it as both someone who uses their position and does what they can to empower others and guide them to overcome obstacles and also as someone who is able to empower others by being an example overcoming obstacles of their own.