By Catalina Camia, USA TODAY
January 31, 2011
A close friend of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords says the Arizona Democrat "continues to defy odds" in her recovery.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., sent word via her Twitter account that Giffords "is so appreciative of all your support."
If not for their day jobs, the three women would be like any others in their 40s who juggle careers and kids. Wasserman Schultz helped recruit Gillibrand and Giffords to run for Congress, and the three of them became close friends along with Democrat Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin, who lost re-election in November.
The girlfriends would get together when they could for lunch or dinner, played together on a congressional softball team and sometimes double-dated when their husbands were in Washington.
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