Former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords has stayed pretty busy since leaving congress earlier this year and undergoing the ongoing healing process of the devastating Tucson shooting massacre. She recently attended the Salute to Freedom dinner, co-authored a book with husband Mark Kelly, and just had an opportunity to meet Pope Benedict XVI.

It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything from former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who continues to recover from last year’s Tucson shooting rampage, but she looked great and healthy at the 21st annual “Salute to Freedom” dinner, where she received the 2012 Salute to Women award from Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.

We were all sad to see Gabrielle Giffords step down from Congress a few weeks ago, but there’s some good news: her former aide may get to take her spot. At least for a little while.

How’d Gabrielle Giffords spend her last day as an active member of Congress? By going back to the place where she tragically became a national icon.

Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has just announced that she’s stepping down from her post in Congress, in order to focus on her recovery.

People like to tweet about Justin Bieber and Charlie Sheen. More than they do about the most important global events. Oh, don’t look so surprised!