Tammy Duckworth
Fighting for a Better Tomorrow
“I’ve seen what happens when we let hate go unchecked. Activism is about confronting it head-on, every single day.”
Tammy Duckworth
Tammy Duckworth is the embodiment of courage, a quality forged in the fires of adversity and tempered by an unshakeable commitment to justice. Born in in Bangkok, Thailand, to a Thai mother of Chinese descent, and an American father, Senator Tammy Duckworth’s childhood was influenced by navigating a multicultural identity in Southeast Asia. Since her father worked for the United Nations, she often moved to different countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Cambodia. Sadly, she experienced discrimination as an American of Asian descent in a post Vietnam world.
She was a teen athlete interested in many sports whose life was uprooted when she was 16 when her family moved to Honolulu, Hawaii. That move meant financial hardship as her father struggled to find work, which upended her life. Suddenly depending on public assistance and food stamps, Tammy Duckworth worked low paying jobs to support her family and prevent homelessness. This struggle and awareness of the vulnerability of life provided a foundation for the courage and resilience that is evident throughout her career.
Demonstrating her diverse interests and curiosity while earning her Master’s degree at George Washington University, she assisted one of the curators for Asian history at the Smithsonian. She also joined the ROTC. Senator Duckworth then became a helicopter pilot in the Illinois Army National Guard, a rare accomplishment for a woman at that time. In 2004, tragedy struck when she served in Iraq. A rocket-propelled grenade struck her Black Hawk helicopter, costing her the loss of both legs and mobility in her right arm. Despite such shattering injuries, Tammy Duckworth’s indomitable’ spirit prevailed. Advocating for her fellow wounded veterans, she continued living her purpose by supporting others. She received the Purple Heart, Air Medal, and Army Commendation Medal.
Shifting from soldier to public servant, she was Appointed Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs in 2006. Ms. Duckworth drew from her own experiences and initiated programs to address PTSD and support homeless and female veterans. She helped create a tax credit for employers that hire veterans, and established a first-in-the-nation 24/7 Veterans Crisis Hotline. She became Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs under President Barack Obama and further addressed veteran homelessness and issues facing women and Native American veterans. Working with the Intrepid Foundation, she helped create rehabilitation centers for wounded veterans. Her activism was deeply personal and passionate, drawing from her own experience in recovering from what she endured following the attack on her Black Hawk helicopter.
While serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, Senator Duckworth introduced the Friendly Airports for Mothers Act to help breastfeeding mothers, which is now law, and the Troop Talent Act to help veterans find jobs. The first disabled woman, the first double amputee senator, and the first Thai-American woman in Congress, Ms. Duckworth was also the first senator to give birth while in office. Serving As Chair of the Senate’s Aviation Safety Subcommittee, MS. Duckworth was instrumental in getting the landmark FAA Reauthorization Law passed through Congress. She worked hard to support the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and that led to her receiving the ADA Legacy Award in 2020. She bravely and boldly brought her baby girl to the Senate, breaking outdated norms. A fierce advocate for reproductive freedoms, she supports women’s rights and those of all marginalized communities. “Activism isn’t just about speaking out; it’s about showing up, listening, and fighting for those who can’t.”
There is so much to admire about Tammy Duckworth. Throughout her life, she has overcome stigmas and prejudice, as an American of Asian descent, as a disabled veteran, as a female political leader with a baby. And she has met every challenge with resilience, fortitude and grace. Refusing to back down, she has repeatedly demonstrated the gifts of a true leader: putting others’ needs before her own, speaking up with wisdom and courage, and speaking truth to power. She never fails to stand for what she believes in and she never gives up.
Throughout her life, Senator Tammy Duckworth has advocated for:
- People with Disabilities
- Disabled Veterans
- Native American and Women Veterans
- Women’s Reproductive Rights
- Paid Family Leave
Lessons from Tammy Duckworth’s Life:
Adversity Can Lead to Advocacy: After being gravely wounded when her Black Hawk helicopter exploded, Senator Tammy Duckworth transformed her personal tragedy into a platform for advocacy. Her indomitable spirit, determination to help other veterans and not give up, were the foundation for a life of service. “I didn’t lose my legs for nothing; I’m here to fight for those who can’t.”
Your Lived Experiences Fuel Your Purpose: As a Thai-American girl who experienced racism and dealt with the fear of homelessness, Ms. Duckworth’s multicultural background greatly influenced her adult work and focus on equity and empowerment. “I know from personal experience that engaging with your community and helping others helps foster a sense of shared sacrifice … that shared sacrifice will help us rekindle the national unity that has made us the strongest nation in the world.”
Breakthrough Systemic Practices That Don’t Work: Senator Tammy Duckworth is a trailblazer. From being one of the first women to fly combat missions, the first double amputee senator, and the first Thai-American woman in Congress, Ms. Duckworth was also the first senator to give birth while in office. She bravely challenges established norms and advocates for meaningful and lasting change, breaking through long established barriers.
Action Steps You Can Take:
- What life experiences have shaped your view of the world? How can you use those to advocate for those who have faced similar difficulties?
- Study the Congressional record of Senator Tammy Duckworth and see if there is any proposed legislation you might like to support.
- Write in your journal about a time when you faced adversity but kept going anyway. Give yourself credit for your persistence and share that with someone you love who will praise your strength and courage.
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