On Wednesday evening, in a hospital room filled with strong and powerful women, Gabrielle Giffords opened her eyes for the first time since Jan. 8.
It was a bright moment after a dark week of frustration and pain following the shootings in Tucson.
In addition to members of Giffords’ family, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), were in the room when Rep. Giffords raised her eyelids.
Rep. Pelosi called it a “girl power” moment.
“After she heard our voices and the encouragement of [her husband] Mark [Kelly] and her parents, she struggled briefly and opened her eyes for the very first time. It was a miracle to witness,” says Sen. Gillibrand.
The strength of political sisters, the love of friends and family, top-notch medical care and Rep. Giffords’ obviously strong will to survive made this moment possible. Keep fighting, Gabby. We’ll all be here when you recover.
Photos, clockwise from top left: Gillibrand, Pelosi, Wasserman Scultz and Giffords, via Wikimedia Commons.
