Victoria Reggie Kennedy was sworn in as the US Ambassador to Austria at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the US Senate at Dorchester’s Columbia Point on Tues., Nov. 16. US Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer administered the oath of office during an intimate ceremony inside the facility’s replica US Senate chamber.

Mrs. Kennedy, who is the widow of the late US Senator Ted Kennedy, was confirmed to the post by a voice vote of the US Senate in October after President Biden nominated her for the post in July.

Ambassador Kennedy is an attorney who is a close friend to the current president. The co-founder of the EMK Institute, she serves as president of its board of directors.

The EMK Institute recently welcomed back its first in-person tour groups after 18 months of virtual programming. Its new exhibit, Standing Up for Democracy, highlights the historic struggle for voting rights and the ongoing challenges to voter access. For more information, see emkinstitute.org.