Mary Davis, MD of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia Posted on November 16, 2023 by ticklesister

Mary Davis is Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia. She is the former CEO of Special Olympics Ireland and prior to that she served as Chief Executive Officer for the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games.

Currently she serves on many committees and boards, established a number of voluntary organisations and was appointed by the Prime Minister in Ireland as Chair of the Taskforce on Active Citizenship. Mary has recently been appointed chair of the advisory committee to implement the recommendations of the Taskforce. She also chairs the North South Consultative Forum on behalf of the Irish Government.

In November 2004 she was appointed by President Mary McAleese to serve on the Council of State for Ireland. She has received Honorary Doctorates from the National University of Ireland, Dublin City University, University of Limerick and an Honorary Fellowship of the faculty of Nursing & Midwifery at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland.

Because I am a Girl I ask… for an end to inequality, domestic violence and sex trafficking of young girls and women.

Because I am a Girl I believe… in the power, talent, versatility and genius of women.

Because I am a Girl I hope… society opens its minds and hearts to the gifts and talents of people with intellectual disabilities so that one day they can be fully included and accepted without fail.

Because I am a Girl I wonder… how dull and lacking the world would be without women.

Because I am a Girl I dream… of playing off a golf handicap of much less than the 24 I play off.

Because I am a Girl I remember… Eunice Kennedy Shriver and her amazing vision over 40 years ago when she started Special Olympics in her backyard so that her sister Rosemary could be included and accepted in society. Look at what Special Olympics has become today out of that one vision.

Because I am a Girl I like… all the men in my life, my husband, my sons, my brothers, my male friends and all those who enrich and support me.

Because I am a Girl I dislike… the inequality that women sometimes have to face in this world.

Because I am a Girl I feel… proud of the achievements in my life (I am not finished yet) and I want to ensure those same opportunities are available to other women.

Because I am a Girl I… want lots of things but most of all I want people to have freedom and choice in their lives to be whatever they want to be and to achieve whatever they dream of achieving.

- Mary Davis