Scripps College News Feature Stories Gabby Giffords ’93 Speaks at Democratic National Convention

July 28, 2016

Gabby Giffords ’93 Speaks at Democratic National Convention

Gabrielle “Gabby” Giffords ’93 spoke at the 2016 Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Philadelphia on July 27 in support of Hillary Clinton who is the first female presidential nominee of a major party in America’s history. Former Arizona Representative Gifford’s speech moved the DNC crowd to tears. “Smart women get things done,” Giffords declared, to thunderous applause.
Giffords was a moderate Democratic congresswoman from Arizona’s 8th district in 2011 when a gunman stormed a constituent event where she was speaking, shot Giffords and left six dead and 12 others injured. Despite being shot in the head at close range, Giffords survived and has been advocating for stricter firearm regulations ever since. The gunshot left her with traumatic brain injuries and the road to recovery has been long and difficult, where even simple words have been, at times, a struggle for her to express.
Giffords’ recovery and gun control advocacy has been covered by the media in the past several years, and she has been quoted as saying she is “grateful that I have a second chance at life and a second chance at service.” Giffords gave the commencement address for graduating Scripps College seniors in 2009. On the four-year anniversary of the shooting, Makers.com published a video celebrating her remarkable resilience. In September 2013, Scripps College honored Giffords as the third recipient of the Ellen Browning Scripps Medal, the College’s highest level of recognition.

Hello, fellow Democrats! What a crowd! It’s great to be here today.

 

We have important work ahead of us. Work that will determine the future of our country. 

Are you ready? I’m ready.

I have a passion for helping people. I always have. So does Hillary Clinton. Hillary is tough. Hillary is courageous.

She will fight to make our families safer. In the White House, she will stand up to the gun lobby. That’s why I’m voting for Hillary!

I know what hate and division can do to our communities. Let’s stand up for responsibility. 

Together we can make sure that respect, hard work, and progress win in November.

In Congress, I learned an important lesson: Strong women get things done! 

Let’s work together to make Hillary our president. I’m with Her! And I know you are too.

Speaking is difficult for me. But come January, I want to say these two words: “Madam President.”

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