Editing Maria Shriver (section)

==Career==

===Media career and advocacy===
In her book ''[[Ten Things I Wish I'd Known Before I Went Out Into The Real World]]'' (2000), Shriver says that she became passionate about [[broadcast journalism]] after being sent to the back of the campaign plane with the [[press corps]] while volunteering for her father's [[1972 United States presidential election|1972 U.S. vice presidential race]], calling these orders "the best thing that ever happened to me". After her journalism career began with [[KYW-TV]] in [[Philadelphia]], Pennsylvania, she co-anchored ''[[The Early Show|The CBS Morning News]]'' with [[Forrest Sawyer]] from August 1985 until August 1986, co-anchored [[NBC News]]'s ''[[Weekend Today|Sunday Today]]'' from 1987 until 1990. Shriver also served as Saturday anchor 1989 & Sunday 1990 and contributing anchor 1996-1999 of ''[[NBC Nightly News]]''. She was a contributing anchor on ''[[Dateline NBC]]'' from 1992 until 2004. In August 2003, Shriver took an unpaid leave of absence from NBC News when her husband became a candidate in the [[California gubernatorial recall election, 2003|2003 California gubernatorial recall election]].

Following her husband's November 17, 2003, inauguration as the 38th Governor of California, she became the First Lady of California. She then returned to reporting, making two more appearances for ''Dateline NBC''.

On February 3, 2004, Shriver asked to be "relieved of [her] duties at NBC News," citing concerns the network had over the conflict of interest between her role as a journalist and her status as the First Lady of California and her increasing role as an advocate of her husband's administration.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://ew.com/article/2004/02/04/maria-shriver-leaves-nbc-news/ |title=Maria Shriver leaves NBC News
|publisher=Entertainment Weekly |date=February 4, 2004 |access-date=December 29, 2021 |author=Susman, Gary |archive-date=June 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627073801/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,587213,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

She appeared as herself in the film ''[[Last Action Hero]]'' (1993). She also played a minor role as herself in "Be Prepared", a 2006 episode of the television series ''[[That's So Raven]]'' promoting a "Preparedness Plan". On March 23, 2007, Shriver returned to television news as substitute host of panel-discussion talk show ''[[Larry King Live]]'' on CNN with musician [[Sheryl Crow]] and other guests.

Shriver announced that she would not return to the news media after the excessive media coverage of the death of [[Anna Nicole Smith]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2007-10-24-shriver-NBC_N.htm?csp=34 |title=Maria Shriver won't return to NBC News |date=October 24, 2007 |work=USA Today |access-date=April 28, 2008 |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=April 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080419020730/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2007-10-24-shriver-NBC_N.htm?csp=34 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Adam |last=Tanner |date=May 16, 2007 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSN1546390720070516 |title=Shriver says Anna Nicole frenzy ended her TV return |work=[[Reuters]] |access-date=April 28, 2008 |archive-date=January 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080107185701/http://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSN1546390720070516 |url-status=live }}</ref> Shriver subsequently returned to the news media.<ref name="USA Today">{{cite news |title=Maria Shriver heading back to NBC as special anchor |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2013/04/30/maria-shriver-heading-back-to-nbc-as-special-anchor/2123191/ |work=USA Today |access-date=April 30, 2013 |date=April 30, 2013 |archive-date=December 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228022654/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2013/04/30/maria-shriver-heading-back-to-nbc-as-special-anchor/2123191/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Mediabistro">{{cite web |url=http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/maria-shriver-returns-to-today_b200471 |title=Maria Shriver Returns to 'Today' – TVNewser |publisher=Mediabistro.com |date=October 18, 2013 |access-date=August 19, 2014 |archive-date=October 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018190355/https://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/maria-shriver-returns-to-today_b200471 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Maria Shriver speaking about the California Alzheimer's Task Force.ogg|thumb|Shriver, in 2019, talking about the inaugural meeting of the California Alzheimer's Task Force, which she chairs.]]
In 2003, Shriver's father [[Sargent Shriver]] was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and she became an advocate and fundraiser for Alzheimer's patient care and [[biomedical research]].<ref name="AlzOrgProfile">{{cite web |title=Maria Shriver Highlights Alzheimer's Disease |url=http://alz.org/mariashriver/mariashriver.asp |publisher=[[Alzheimer's Association]] |access-date=September 15, 2022}}</ref> Shriver was the executive producer of ''The Alzheimer's Project'', a four-part documentary series that premiered on [[HBO]] in May 2009<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hbo.com/alzheimers/ |title=HBO Documentaries: The Alzheimer's Project |author=HBO |access-date=October 8, 2014 |archive-date=October 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012183320/http://www.hbo.com/alzheimers/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and later earned two [[Emmy Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/articles/hbo-tops-2009-creative-arts-emmys-nbc-leads-nets |title=Tina Fey, Justin Timberlake Among Big Creative Arts Winners |publisher=Emmys.com |date=September 12, 2009 |access-date=March 23, 2011 |archive-date=May 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527065731/http://www.emmys.com/articles/hbo-tops-2009-creative-arts-emmys-nbc-leads-nets |url-status=live }}</ref> It was described by the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' as "ambitious, disturbing, emotionally fraught and carefully optimistic".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-may-08-et-alzheimers8-story.html |title=Grace and pain in 'Alzheimer's' |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 29, 2021|first=Mary |last=McNamara |date=May 8, 2009 |archive-date=October 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024042804/http://articles.latimes.com/2009/may/08/entertainment/et-alzheimers8 |url-status=live }}</ref> The series took a close look at cutting-edge research being done in the country's leading Alzheimer's laboratories. The documentary also examined the effects of this disease on patients and families. One of the Emmy Award-winning films, ''Grandpa, Do you Know Who I Am?'' is based on Shriver's best-selling children's book dealing with Alzheimer's.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103953870 |title=Maria Shriver Turns Spotlight On Alzheimer's |date=May 10, 2009 |work=NPR.org |access-date=October 8, 2014 |archive-date=October 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014023446/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103953870 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2016, Shriver published the coloring book ''Color Your Mind'', a coloring book for people with Alzheimer's.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/maria-shrivers-coloring-book-for-alzheimers-patients-and-their-families/2017/05/26/11e3c70a-3fc0-11e7-8c25-44d09ff5a4a8_story.html|title=Maria Shriver's coloring book for Alzheimer's patients and their families|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |archive-date=November 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130063701/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/maria-shrivers-coloring-book-for-alzheimers-patients-and-their-families/2017/05/26/11e3c70a-3fc0-11e7-8c25-44d09ff5a4a8_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Shriver has been a lifelong advocate for people with intellectual disabilities. She is a member of the International Board of [[Special Olympics]], the organization her mother founded in 1968.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/08/14/shriver.funeral/index.html |title=Special Olympics Torch Lights Eunice Kennedy Shriver's Funeral |access-date=October 8, 2014 |work=CNN |date=August 15, 2009 |archive-date=October 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013233129/http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/08/14/shriver.funeral/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> She is also on the advisory board of [[Best Buddies]], a one-to-one friendship and jobs program for people with intellectual disabilities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bestbuddies.org/in-the-news/257-sportsillustrated092109 |title=Shriver's legacy lives on through Best Buddies |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026170148/http://www.bestbuddies.org/in-the-news/257-sportsillustrated092109 |archive-date=October 26, 2010 }}</ref> In addition, Shriver serves as Chair of the Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle, a bike ride that raises millions of dollars for programs supporting people with intellectual disabilities. As First Lady, Shriver has been instrumental in the hiring of individuals with intellectual disabilities in the capitol and in various state offices through her WE Include program.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.weinclude.ca.gov/ |title=We Include |publisher=State of California |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117061032/http://weinclude.ca.gov/ |archive-date=November 17, 2010}}</ref> In February 2008, Shriver launched an ice cream company called [[Lovin' Scoopful]] with her brother, [[Tim Shriver]]. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from Lovin' Scoopful benefits the [[Special Olympics]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/using-ice-cream-for-good_b_556240 |title=Using Ice Cream for Good: How Lovin' Scoopful is Working for the Special Olympics |date=April 29, 2010 |work=HuffPost |access-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-date=October 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015193721/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dan-samson/using-ice-cream-for-good_b_556240.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2008, Shriver executive-produced ''American Idealist: The Story of Sargent Shriver''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/columnist/criticscorner/2008-01-20-critics-corner_N.htm?csp=34 |work=USA Today |title=Critic's Corner Monday |first=Robert |last=Bianco |date=January 21, 2008}}</ref> The documentary originally aired on PBS on January 21, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanidealistmovie.org/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080124063922/http://www.americanidealistmovie.org/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 24, 2008 |title=American Idealist |publisher=Americanidealistmovie.org |date=January 21, 2008 |access-date=March 23, 2011 }}</ref> The film chronicled the life, accomplishments and vision of her father, [[Sargent Shriver]]. Shriver also serves on the advisory board of the Sargent Shriver Peace Institute, which raises public awareness of her father's legacy as a peacebuilder and offers educational and training programs grounded in the principles of public service that motivate the many programs he created, including the [[Peace Corps]], [[Job Corps]], [[Head Start (program)|Head Start]], and [[Legal Services Corporation|Legal Services for the Poor]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.womensconference.org/maria-shriver |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091223085726/http://www.womensconference.org/maria-shriver/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 23, 2009 |title=California First Lady Maria Shriver |publisher=Womensconference.org |date=November 17, 2003 |access-date=March 23, 2011 }}</ref>

In 2018, she published ''I've Been Thinking...: Reflections Prayers and Meditations for a Meaningful Life'', which became an instant No. 1 ''New York Times'' bestseller.<ref>{{Cite book|isbn = 978-0525522607|title = I've Been Thinking ...: Reflections, Prayers, and Meditations for a Meaningful Life|last1 = Shriver|first1 = Maria|year = 2018| publisher=Penguin }}</ref> Shriver released a companion journal, ''I've Been Thinking...The Journal: Reflections, Prayers and Inspirations for Your Meaningful Life'', in January 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.today.com/parents/hoda-jenna-shared-their-mother-s-day-wish-list-t152343|title=Hoda and Jenna revealed their Mother's Day wish lists — and we want everything|website=TODAY.com|date=May 7, 2019 |access-date=September 13, 2019|archive-date=June 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604022521/https://www.today.com/parents/hoda-jenna-shared-their-mother-s-day-wish-list-t152343|url-status=live}}</ref>

Shriver and her daughter, Christina Schwarzenegger, were co-executive producers of ''[[Take Your Pills]]'' (2018), an hour-long documentary on [[psychostimulant]] medications.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://schedule.sxsw.com/2018/films/122686|title=SXSW 2018 Schedule|website=sxsw.com|access-date=December 28, 2020|archive-date=March 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328103338/https://schedule.sxsw.com/2018/films/122686|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== The Shriver Report ====
In October 2009, Shriver launched "The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Changes Everything", a national study and comprehensive report conducted in partnership with the [[Center for American Progress]], USC's Annenberg Center on Communication, Leadership and Policy, and the [[Rockefeller Foundation]]. The Shriver Report revealed that American women, for the first time, make up half of the United States workforce and studied how that fact is impacting major institutions like family, business, government and faith organizations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33247001/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091017235153/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33247001/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 17, 2009 |title=Special report: Women today |publisher=MSNBC |access-date=March 23, 2011}}</ref> The report was released in 2013 in partnership with ''TIME''<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1930506,00.html |title=The American Woman |date=October 26, 2009 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date=October 8, 2014 |first=Richard |last=Stengel |archive-date=August 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826135938/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1930506,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and [[NBC News]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/04/womans_nation.html|title=A Woman's Nation – Center for American Progress|date=April 15, 2009|access-date=May 16, 2010|archive-date=October 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091014133247/http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/04/womans_nation.html|url-status=live}}</ref> According to ''The New York Times'', the report "was modeled on [[Presidential Commission on the Status of Women|a study undertaken almost 50 years ago]] during the administration of [[John F. Kennedy]], Shriver's uncle, and led by [[Eleanor Roosevelt]]."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/business/media/29nbc.html|title=NBC Plans a Week of Coverage on Evolving Role of Women|first=Bill|last=Carter|date=September 28, 2009|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=February 10, 2017|archive-date=December 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228232036/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/business/media/29nbc.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The report features, among other things, writings by public figures including [[Suze Orman]], [[Beyoncé]], [[Tammy Duckworth]], [[Billie Jean King]], [[Heidi Hartmann]], [[Susan J. Douglas]], [[Stephanie Coontz]], [[Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner]], [[John Podesta]], and [[Oprah Winfrey]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nY6-O9P532sC&q=shriver+report&pg=PT1 |title=The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Changes Everything |access-date=October 8, 2014 |isbn=9781439187630 |last1=Shriver |first1=Maria |date=October 20, 2009 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118154132/https://books.google.com/books?id=nY6-O9P532sC&q=shriver+report&pg=PT1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2010 ''The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Takes on Alzheimer's'' was published.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PhNGy-9utp0C&q=woman%27s+nation+alzheimer%27s+launched&pg=PT99 |title=The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Takes On Alzheimer's |access-date=October 8, 2014 |isbn=9781451628999 |last1=Shriver |first1=Maria |date=October 19, 2010 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118154133/https://books.google.com/books?id=PhNGy-9utp0C&q=woman%27s+nation+alzheimer%27s+launched&pg=PT99 |url-status=live }}</ref> It is a study by Maria Shriver and the [[Alzheimer's Association]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PhNGy-9utp0C&q=shriver+report |title=The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Takes On Alzheimer's |access-date=October 8, 2014 |isbn=9781451628999 |last1=Shriver |first1=Maria |date=October 19, 2010 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118154114/https://books.google.com/books?id=PhNGy-9utp0C&q=shriver+report |url-status=live }}</ref> It features, among other things, writings by public figures including [[Barbra Streisand]], [[Laura Bush]], [[Patti Davis]], [[Soleil Moon Frye]], [[Rosalynn Carter]], [[Susan Collins]], [[Kathleen Sebelius]], [[Barbara Mikulski]], and [[Joe Biden]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PhNGy-9utp0C&q=shriver+alzheimer%27s |title=The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Takes On Alzheimer's |access-date=October 8, 2014 |isbn=9781451628999 |last1=Shriver |first1=Maria |date=October 19, 2010 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118154128/https://books.google.com/books?id=PhNGy-9utp0C&q=shriver+alzheimer%27s |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2014, ''The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Pushes Back from the Brink'' was published; it is about women and their children in poverty.<ref name="amazon.com">{{Cite book|title=The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Pushes Back from the Brink: Maria Shriver, Olivia Morgan, Karen Skelton|isbn=9781137279743|publisher=St. Martin's Griffin |date=March 11, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://shriverreport.org/a-special-message-from-maria-shriver-the-shriver-report-team/|title=A Special Message from Maria Shriver & the Shriver Report Team|date=July 31, 2014|access-date=October 3, 2014|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006154931/http://shriverreport.org/a-special-message-from-maria-shriver-the-shriver-report-team/|url-status=live}}</ref> It is by Maria Shriver, with editors Olivia Morgan, and Karen Skelton, and features, among other things, writings by public figures including [[Carol Gilligan]], [[Beyoncé]], [[Joan Chittister]], [[Ai-Jen Poo]], [[Eva Longoria]], [[Stephanie Coontz]], [[Jennifer Garner]], [[Kathleen Sebelius]], [[Jada Pinkett Smith]], [[Anne-Marie Slaughter]], [[Tory Burch]], [[Sheryl Sandberg]], [[Kirsten Gillibrand]], [[Barbara Ehrenreich]], [[LeBron James]], and [[Hillary Clinton]].<ref name="amazon.com" /><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3ooXngEACAAJ&q=shriver+report+brink |title=The Shriver Report |access-date=October 8, 2014 |isbn=9781137279743 |last1=Shriver |first1=Maria |last2=Progress |first2=Center for American |date=March 11, 2014 |publisher=Macmillan |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118154114/https://books.google.com/books?id=3ooXngEACAAJ&q=shriver+report+brink |url-status=live }}</ref>

===First Lady of California===
After Arnold took office, Shriver took on several key initiatives as First Lady, which included raising awareness of the contributions of women to the state, working on practical solutions to end [[Cycle of poverty|cycles of poverty]], and encouraging all Californians to engage in acts of service to their communities. Once Schwarzenegger was elected, Shriver had to cut back on her news reporting to avoid conflicts of interest.<ref name="parade">{{cite news|title=In Step With: Maria Shriver |publisher=Parade Magazine |date=April 10, 2005 |url=http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2005/edition_04-10-2005/in_step_with_1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090605162809/http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2005/edition_04-10-2005/in_step_with_1 |archive-date=June 5, 2009  }}</ref>
[[File:Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver-mod.jpg|thumb|right|Shriver with her husband [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] at the 2007 [[Special Olympics]] in Shanghai, China]]
Shriver began leading the [[California Governor & First Lady's Conference on Women]] when Schwarzenegger took office in 2003. Under her leadership, The Women's Conference event grew into the nation's premier forum for women and, in 2010, attracted more than 30,000 attendees and 150 world opinion leaders over three full days. Each year, the event is held at the [[Long Beach Convention Center]] in October.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.presstelegram.com/breakingnews/ci_13661549 |title=Women's Conference's future in Long Beach uncertain after 2010 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613195911/http://www.presstelegram.com/breakingnews/ci_13661549 |archive-date=June 13, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Luminaries have spoken at the conference including [[Oprah Winfrey]], Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court [[Sandra Day O'Connor]], U.S. Secretaries of State [[Condoleezza Rice]] and [[Madeleine Albright]], [[Barbara Walters]], [[Warren Buffett]], Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, former British Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]], [[Richard Branson]], [[Bono]], [[Billie Jean King]], [[Gloria Steinem]], and the [[Dalai Lama]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2008/07/maria-shriver-announces-her-womens-conference-lineup.html |title=Maria Shriver Announces Her Women's Conference Lineup |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=July 14, 2008 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |archive-date=June 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614141914/http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2008/07/maria-shriver-announces-her-womens-conference-lineup.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wowowow.com/post/maria-shriver-announces-star-studded-womens-conference-64914 |title=Maria Shriver Announces Star-Studded Women's Conference |date=July 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091103173509/http://www.wowowow.com/post/maria-shriver-announces-star-studded-womens-conference-64914 |archive-date=November 3, 2009}}</ref>

In 2004, Shriver created The Minerva Awards to honor and reward "remarkable California women" who have changed their communities, their state, their country and the world with their courage, wisdom and strength.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_13656556 |title='Remarkable California women' honored with Minerva Awards |access-date=October 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615024856/http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_13656556 |archive-date=June 15, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Minerva Awards are named after [[Minerva]], the [[Roman goddess]] who adorns the [[Great Seal of California|California State Seal]] and "who symbolizes the dual nature of women as warriors and peacemakers".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_10792605 |title=Betty Chinn accepts Minerva Award, wins over crowd |work=times-standard.com |access-date=October 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014155218/http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_10792605 |archive-date=October 14, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Minerva Awards are presented annually at [[The Women's Conference]] in [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]] during a special ceremony. Recipients of the award also receive a grant to continue their work.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_14997778 |title='A tsunami of hope': Maria Shriver cuts ribbon on Eureka's first public shower facility |work=times-standard.com |access-date=October 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014155122/http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_14997778 |archive-date=October 14, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Past Minerva Awards recipients include former first lady [[Betty Ford]], [[Nancy Pelosi]], [[Gloria Steinem]], [[Billie Jean King]], [[astronaut]] [[Sally Ride]] and the late [[Eunice Kennedy Shriver]], Shriver's mother. The achievements of The Minerva Award winners are chronicled in a permanent exhibit at [[The California Museum for History, Women and the Arts]] in [[Sacramento]] and have become part of California's official state archive.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.californiamuseum.org/exhibits/minerva-awards |title=Minerva Award Exhibit |publisher=California Museum |access-date=March 23, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101212220632/http://californiamuseum.org/exhibits/minerva-awards |archive-date=December 12, 2010 }}</ref>

In 2004, Shriver was in attendance at both [[2004 Democratic National Convention|the Democratic National Convention]] and [[2004 Republican National Convention|the Republican National Convention]], attending the first to watch her uncle Ted Kennedy speak, and the latter to watch her husband speak.<ref>{{cite web |title=Maria Shriver to Attend Democratic Convention |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jul-16-me-shriver16-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |agency= Associated Press |access-date=March 3, 2021 |date=July 16, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=California First Lady Gets a GOP Cameo |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-aug-30-na-maria30-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |agency= Associated Press |access-date=March 3, 2021 |date=August 30, 2004}}</ref>

In 2005, Shriver launched her WE Connect Program, which connects working families in need with money-saving programs and support services. WE Connect brings together community organizations and businesses, government agencies and state leaders, congregations and schools as partners in responding to the needs of the millions of individuals and families who are struggling to make ends meet. Through a partnership with ''[[La Opinión]]'', the nation's largest Spanish-language newspaper, WE Connect has developed three editions of a 24-page, full-color, bilingual supplement that has been circulated to over 20 million Californians in need. In December 2009, Shriver, in partnership with The Women's Conference, created the WE Connect–Million Meals Initiative.<ref>[http://www.ebcf.org/press-room/217-one-million-meals-for-families-in-need One Million Meals for Families in Need] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514104431/http://www.ebcf.org/press-room/217-one-million-meals-for-families-in-need |date=May 14, 2010 }}</ref> Through this initiative, The Women's Conference made a donation to The California Association of Food Banks to provide more than one million meals to California families in need.<ref>{{cite web |author=Thadeus Greenson |url=http://www.times-standard.com/ci_13975658 |title=California first family hosts Betty Chinn, encourages outreach |publisher=Times-Standard Online |access-date=March 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100506001817/http://www.times-standard.com/ci_13975658 |archive-date=May 6, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The donation was allocated to the food bank's 44 member organizations who then distributed the food to California families through its more than 5,000 community-based organizations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abc7news.com/archive/7164016/ |title=Gov. visits Bay Area in effort to feed the hungry |work=ABC7 San Francisco |access-date=December 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311150009/http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news%2Flocal%2Feast_bay&id=7164016 |archive-date=March 11, 2014 }}</ref> In March 2010, Shriver held a three-day Community Resources Fair in Fresno and Los Angeles through WE Connect. The fairs provided vital programs and free support services such as tax preparation, housing and home foreclosure assistance, job assistance, flu shots, healthy food distribution and more.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kmph-kfre.com/Global/story.asp?S=12179884 |title=Maria Shriver At "We Connect Weekend" In Fresno |date=March 21, 2010 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014150243/http://www.kmph-kfre.com/Global/story.asp?S=12179884 |archive-date=October 14, 2014 }}</ref> Event organizers estimated that over 40,000 individuals took advantage of free services during the course of the two weekends, and hundreds of thousands pounds of food were distributed.<ref>[http://www.knx1070.com/pages/6669173.php? Maria Shriver Talks About 'We Connect Weekend'] {{dead link|date=September 2011}}</ref>

As First Lady, Shriver worked to promote service and volunteerism. As Honorary Chair of [[CaliforniaVolunteers]], Shriver conceived of and launched the largest statewide volunteer matching network at CaliforniaVolunteers.org. Shriver was instrumental in inspiring Governor Schwarzenegger to establish the nation's first state cabinet-level Department of Service and Volunteering.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/26/us/26calif.html|title=California Creates Cabinet Post to Manage Volunteers|first=Jennifer|last=Steinhauer|date=February 26, 2008|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=February 10, 2017|archive-date=January 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103003827/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/26/us/26calif.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She also pioneered and promoted a statewide disaster preparedness program called WE Prepare that encourages and educates Californians to be ready for an emergency or natural disaster. In addition, Shriver established WE Build and WE Garden, a children's playground and community garden-building initiative. "Try growing Tomatoes, I' beans don't grow," she exclaimed.  Through CaliforniaVolunteers, Shriver has built 31 playgrounds with gardens in lower-income communities around the state in partnership with [[KaBOOM! (non-profit organization)|KaBOOM!]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2009/06/68367527/1Michelle#.Ycy1BGjMLIV|title=Obama and Maria Shriver: Making space for play – for all generations |work=USA Today |access-date=December 29, 2021 |date=June 22, 2009 |archive-date=October 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008030206/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2009/06/68367527/1Michelle |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2008, Shriver launched her WE Invest Program, which provides training, mentoring, support networks, microloans and other resources to help women launch or grow their businesses. In June 2009, she expanded WE Invest nationally through a partnership with [[Kiva (organization)|Kiva]], creating the first-ever online peer-to-peer microlending program in the U.S.<ref name="usatoday.com">{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/columnist/abrams/2009-06-12-microlending-maria-shriver_N.htm |title=Strategies: Shriver's big on small loans, for good reason |access-date=October 8, 2014 |work=USA Today |first=Rhonda |last=Abrams |date=June 12, 2009 |archive-date=November 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125063559/http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/columnist/abrams/2009-06-12-microlending-maria-shriver_N.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Shriver is credited with coming up with the idea to bring Kiva's international [[micro-lending]] model to the United States.<ref name="usatoday.com" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2009/06/10/kiva-brings-microlending-home-to-us-entrepreneurs-in-need/ |title=Kiva Brings Microlending Home To U.S. Entrepreneurs In Need |date=June 10, 2009 |work=TechCrunch |access-date=October 8, 2014 |archive-date=October 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004092440/http://techcrunch.com/2009/06/10/kiva-brings-microlending-home-to-us-entrepreneurs-in-need/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Shriver is co-chair of The California Museum for History, Women and the Arts<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.californiamuseum.org/ |title=Home Page &#124; California Museum |access-date=October 8, 2014 |archive-date=October 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009010253/http://www.californiamuseum.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and she has been credited with revitalizing the state museum during her tenure. Shriver created the [[California Hall of Fame]] in 2006<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.californiamuseum.org/exhibits/halloffame/history |title=History |publisher=California Museum |access-date=March 23, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101212213234/http://californiamuseum.org/exhibits/halloffame/history |archive-date=December 12, 2010 }}</ref> at the Museum to honor legendary Californians such as [[Cesar Chavez]], [[Clint Eastwood]], [[Walt Disney]], [[Amelia Earhart]], [[Ronald Reagan]], [[John Steinbeck]], [[Rita Moreno]], [[Earl Warren]], [[Julia Morgan]], [[Leland Stanford]], [[Dorothea Lange]] and others.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-nov-26-la-me-cap26-2009nov26-story.html |work=The Los Angeles Times |title=California Hall of Fame inductees range from excellent to just OK |first=George |last=Skelton |date=November 26, 2009 |access-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-date=January 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103015946/http://articles.latimes.com/2009/nov/26/local/la-me-cap26-2009nov26 |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2008, Shriver launched the California Legacy Trails, a first-of-its-kind web-based multimedia learning tool designed to help students learn California history.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200811/111708CaliforniaMuseum.html | title=California Museum and Maria Shriver Unveil 'A Museum without Walls' | publisher=Adobe | date=November 17, 2008 | access-date=July 23, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803130810/http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200811/111708CaliforniaMuseum.html | archive-date=August 3, 2012 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/videos/maria-shriver-touts-new-online-learning-tool/ |title=Maria Shriver Touts New Online Learning Tool |work=CNET |access-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-date=October 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006045023/http://cnettv.cnet.com/maria-shriver-touts-new-online-learning-tool/9742-1_53-50004507.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On February 3, 2008, Shriver endorsed Senator [[Barack Obama]] for the [[2008 Democratic party presidential primaries|2008 Democratic presidential nomination]]. The endorsement was given at a [[University of California, Los Angeles|UCLA]] rally featuring [[Caroline Kennedy]] (Shriver's cousin), [[Oprah Winfrey]], [[Stevie Wonder]], and Obama's wife [[Michelle Obama]].<ref name="thecaucus.blogs.nytimes">{{cite web|url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/03/maria-shriver-backs-obama/|title=Maria Shriver Backs Obama|first=Adam|last=Nagourney|date=February 3, 2008|access-date=February 3, 2008|archive-date=February 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080205192601/http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/03/maria-shriver-backs-obama/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/CPcT |title=Breaking: California First Lady Maria Shriver Endorses Barack Obama |work=Organizing for Action |access-date=October 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814020119/https://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/CPcT |archive-date=August 14, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Governor Schwarzenegger had endorsed Senator [[John McCain]] for the [[2008 Republican Presidential Primaries|Republican presidential nomination]] a few days earlier on January 31, 2008.<ref name="thecaucus.blogs.nytimes" /> Later that year, as in 2004, Shriver was in attendance at [[2008 Democratic National Convention|the Democratic National Convention]] when her uncle Ted Kennedy spoke.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Haberman |first1=Maggie |title=TED GETS PARTY STARTED |url=https://nypost.com/2008/08/26/ted-gets-party-started/ |website=New York Post |access-date=March 3, 2021 |date=August 26, 2008}}</ref>

In May 2009, Shriver planted the first edible garden at a state capitol in what once was a flower bed. She teamed up with [[Alice Waters]] on the project.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/nov05election/detail?blogid=14&entry_id=40501 |title=Capitol edible garden arrives with star power |date=May 21, 2009 |work=Politics Blog |access-date=October 8, 2014 |first=Wyatt |last=Buchanan |archive-date=May 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528035500/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/nov05election/detail?blogid=14&entry_id=40501 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The food grown in the organic garden is distributed to local food banks.<ref>[http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/7952 Shriver Gets Her Hands Dirty] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722080309/http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/7952 |date=July 22, 2011 }}</ref> Shriver has been an advocate for edible gardens and chairs the California School Garden Network that has doubled the number of gardens in state schools from 3,000 to 6,000 since 2004.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-mar-27-me-garden27-story.html |title=Maria Shriver says edible garden will be planted in Capitol Park flower bed |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 29, 2021 |first=Mary |last=MacVean |date=March 27, 2009 |archive-date=October 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024042843/http://articles.latimes.com/2009/mar/27/local/me-garden27 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Return to NBC News===
On April 30, 2013, NBC announced that Shriver would join the network again as a special [[News presenter|anchor]] working on issues surrounding the shifting roles of women in American life.<ref name="USA Today"/>

On October 18, 2013, Shriver returned to the anchor desk on ''[[Today (U.S. TV program)|Today]]'', filling-in for [[Savannah Guthrie]] for the first time since 1998 as co-anchor with [[Matt Lauer]].<ref name="Mediabistro"/>