Giffords: ‘I’m still fighting’ to improve world

Former Rep. Gabby Giffords told the crowd at an EMILY’s List dinner Tuesday evening, “I am still fighting to make the world a better place.”

The Arizona Democrat, who was shot in the head in a 2011 massacre at her Tucson campaign event, delivered her remarks at an event honoring powerful Democratic female lawmakers.

{mosads}“It’s been a long, hard haul, but I am getting better,” Giffords said, listing various therapies she’s underwent — including physical therapy, speech therapy and yoga — since the tragic shooting that took the lives of six people.

This was Giffords’ first time addressing the dinner in person. Back in 2012, she delivered her remarks for the event in a pre-recorded video.

“Be passionate. Be courageous. Be your best,” she said to thundering applause.

EMILY’s List, which backs pro-abortion-rights Democratic women, honored California Democratic Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein for their leadership in the Senate. Boxer serves as chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and Feinstein is chairwoman of the Select Committee on Intelligence.

Two other Arizona Democrats, Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick and Kyrsten Sinema, introduced Giffords and also participated in the awards celebration.