We at The Morning Glory Project are pleased to announce the inaugural Morning Glory Award. These are special acknowledgments for individuals that rise above and exhibiting exceptional and inspiring demonstrations of their humanity. Our inaugural Morning Glory Award for Perseverance goes to former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. While speaking at a public event in Tucson, a gunman began a shooting spree that killed six people, including a nine-year-old girl, and gravely injured the congresswoman, shooting her in the head. 

In both her psychological and physical recovery, Gabby Gifford has climbed what seemed an insurmountable mountain. Years of surgeries, physical therapy, voice therapy, and trauma recovery have culminated in her delivering an inspiring speech that took months to prepare and master.

Across issues of politics and policy, across our divisions of ideas, Gabby Giffords rose to inspire us all. In her speech at the Democratic National Convention, she gave us all instructions for how to endure, persevere, and overcome. Here is just one moment from that speech. 

“I’ve known the darkest of days. Days of pain and uncertain recovery. But confronted by despair, I’ve summoned hope. Confronted by paralysis and aphasia, I responded with grit and determination. I put one foot in front of the other. I’ve found one word and then I’ve found another.”

Thank you, Ms. Giffords, for your service, for your courage, and for how you inspire determination.