We’re honoring Women’s History Month by celebrating the birthday of one of Illinois’ U.S. Senators, Tammy Duckworth!
Ladda Tammy Duckworth, known to many as Tammy Duckworth, was born on March 12, 1968 in Bangkok, Thailand to Lamai Sompornpairin and Franklin Duckworth. Franklin, Tammy’s father, was a veteran of the United State Army and Marine Corps, serving in World War II and the Vietnam War. He worked in Southeast Asia after his service. After her family relocated to Hawaii, she graduated from McKinley High School and the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
After receiving her undergraduate degree, Duckworth began a Doctor of Philosophy program at Northern Illinois University, with her focus being in public health and politics of Southeast Asia. During this time, she was actively working in other areas, as well. Duckworth entered the Illinois Army National Guard, worked as a staff supervisor at Rotary International World Headquarters in Evanston, and was the coordinator of the Center for Nursing Research at NIU. Eventually, Duckworth was deployed to Iraq.
While serving in Iraq as a Captain in the Illinois National Guard, Duckworth’s Blackhawk helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, resulting in her losing both of her legs, as well as partial mobility in her right arm. Following her recovery, Duckworth was appointed as the Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, eventually becoming nominated to be the Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the United States Department of Veteran Affairs by President Barack Obama. While in these positions, Duckworth coordinated initiatives to address post-traumatic stress disorder, homelessness and accessibility, along with other prominent issues facing veterans.
Duckworth retired from the Army in 2014 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and turned to public office to continue her advocacy. She represented Illinois’ 8th District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2017. During this time, she made an impressionable mark by being the first woman with a disability as well as the first Asian American woman from Illinois to serve in Congress.
After serving four years in the U.S. House of Representatives, Duckworth was inaugurated to serve in the U.S. Senate in January 2017, becoming the second Asian American woman to serve in the body. Duckworth also made history by being the first senator to give birth while in office, later spearheading an initiative allowing senators to bring infants on the Senate floor.
Tammy Duckworth has been a trailblazer, not just for women in Illinois, but also for everyone across the nation. She is a symbol of perseverance and determination.
Happy Birthday, Senator Duckworth!
