Ethel Kennedy, the widow of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy (D-N.Y.), took the ALS Association ice bucket challenge at the Kennedy family compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.
The video was posted by Kennedy's son Max Kennedy. Many of Kennedy's grandchildren participated in the challenge as well.
"Welcome to Cape Cod, President [Barack] Obama. I nominate you," the 86-year-old said before the bucket of ice water was dumped on her head.
She later told Boston.com that "a good campaign starts at the grassroots and makes its way to the very top. Our family is proud to join the wave of advocates championing increased awareness and funding for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)."
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a degenerative condition affecting motor cells in the body, which leads to the inability of the brain to control muscle movement and subsequently an individual's death.
The ice bucket challenge, which raises ALS awareness, involves individuals posting videos online of themselves getting buckets of ice water poured on their heads, and then nominating others to do the same. Those who choose to not participate in the challenge are asked to donate to an ALS charity.
Many celebrities and athletes have taken the challenge as well. The ALS Association has seen a 1,000 percent increase in donations due to the ice bucket challenge.
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