Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Gabby Giffords

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Gabby Giffords made an impact.

Gabrielle "Gabby" Giffords is an American retired politician and prominent gun violence prevention advocate. As a member of the Democratic Party, she served as a U.S. Representative for Arizona's 8th congressional district from 2007 to 2012. Her career was tragically cut short when she survived an assassination attempt in 2011, resulting in a severe brain injury. Following her resignation from Congress, Giffords has dedicated herself to advocating for stricter gun control measures.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1996: Became CEO of El Campo Tire Warehouses

In 1996, Gabrielle Giffords became president and CEO of El Campo Tire Warehouses.

2000: El Campo Tire Warehouses Sold

In 2000, El Campo Tire Warehouses was sold to Goodyear Tire.

2000: Switched Party Affiliation

In 2000, Giffords switched her party affiliation from Republican to Democratic.

2001: Arizona House of Representatives

In 2001, Giffords served in the Arizona House of Representatives.

2002: Elected to the Arizona State Senate

In the fall of 2002, Giffords was elected to the Arizona State Senate.

January 2003: Took Office in Arizona Senate

In January 2003, Giffords took office in the Arizona Senate.

2003: Arizona State Senate

In 2003, Giffords served in the Arizona Senate.

2004: Re-elected to Arizona Senate

In 2004, Giffords was re-elected in the Arizona Senate.

2004: Graf Ran Against Kolbe

In 2004, Randy Graf ran against Jim Kolbe in the GOP primary.

August 2005: Volunteer Relief Efforts for Hurricane Katrina

After Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005, Gabby Giffords volunteered in Houston, Texas, in relief efforts for hurricane victims. She wrote about her experience in the Tucson Citizen.

December 1, 2005: Resigned from Arizona Senate

On December 1, 2005, Giffords resigned from the Arizona Senate to prepare for her congressional campaign.

2005: Elected to the U.S. House

In 2005, Giffords was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

January 24, 2006: Launched Congressional Candidacy

On January 24, 2006, Giffords launched her first candidacy for Arizona's 8th congressional district in the U.S. Congress.

July 9, 2006: Featured on NPR's Weekend Edition

On July 9, 2006, Gabby Giffords was featured on NPR's Weekend Edition, discussing her love of books.

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September 12, 2006: Won Party Nomination

On September 12, 2006, Giffords won her party's nomination in the primary election.

November 7, 2006: Won Congressional Race

On November 7, 2006, Giffords won the race for Arizona's 8th congressional district, becoming the first Jewish woman elected to Congress from Arizona.

November 2006: Elected as Congresswoman

Following the November 2006 election, Giffords was sworn in as a congresswoman on January 3, 2007.

2006: Graf Announced Candidacy

In 2006, Randy Graf announced his candidacy before Jim Kolbe announced his retirement.

January 3, 2007: Sworn in as Congresswoman

On January 3, 2007, Giffords was sworn in as a congresswoman. She advocated for comprehensive immigration reform in her inaugural speech.

January 2007: Became a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives

In January 2007, Gabrielle Giffords began serving as a member of the United States House of Representatives for Arizona's 8th congressional district.

April 21, 2007: Spoke at Sahuaro Girl Scout Council Annual Meeting

On April 21, 2007, Gabby Giffords spoke at the Sahuaro Girl Scout Council Annual Meeting, the same day she hosted her third "Congress on Your Corner" in Tucson, Arizona.

May 2007: Voted for Iraq Emergency Supplemental Spending Bill

In May 2007, Giffords voted for the contentious Iraq Emergency Supplemental Spending bill to support American servicemen and women.

September 2007: Published Report on Solar Energy Initiative

In September 2007, Gabby Giffords published a report titled: The Community Solar Energy Initiative, Solar Energy in Southern Arizona, noting that Arizona has enough sunshine to power the entire United States.

2007: Interviewed on NPR's All Things Considered

In 2007, Gabby Giffords was periodically interviewed on NPR's All Things Considered with Illinois Republican Peter Roskam. The series focused on their experiences as freshman members of the 110th Congress.

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August 1, 2008: Wrote to Congress Regarding Tax Credits

On August 1, 2008, Gabby Giffords wrote to congressional leaders regarding tax credits that were set to expire, arguing that failure to extend the scheme would be harmful to the renewable energy industry.

2008: Introduced Legislation to Increase H-1B Visa Cap

In 2008, Gabby Giffords introduced legislation that would have increased the cap on the H-1B visa from 65,000 per year to 130,000 or 180,000 per year. The bill was never voted on by the House of Representatives.

2008: Opposed prohibitions on handguns

In 2008, Gabby Giffords opposed prohibitions in Washington, D.C., on the possession of handguns in the home and having usable firearms there, signing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in District of Columbia v. Heller to support its overturn.

2008: Vote Against Bush's Economic Stimulus Act

In 2008, Gabby Giffords voted against President Bush's Economic Stimulus Act.

2008: Elected to Second Term

In 2008, Giffords was elected to a second term, defeating Republican Tim Bee.

2009: Vote For American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

In 2009, Gabby Giffords voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

August 2010: Securing Funding for Border Patrol Agents

In August 2010, Gabby Giffords worked to secure passage of the bill to fund more Border Patrol agents and surveillance technology for Arizona's border with Mexico, ultimately leading to a $600 million bill.

August 31, 2010: Praised Arrival of National Guard Troops on Border

On August 31, 2010, Gabby Giffords praised the arrival of National Guard troops on the border, calling it "a renewed national commitment to protecting our border communities from drug cartels and smugglers."

November 5, 2010: Declared Victor in Close Race

On November 5, 2010, Giffords was declared the victor after a close race against Republican Jesse Kelly.

2010: Remarks on Arizona SB 1070 Legislation

In 2010, Gabby Giffords stated that the Arizona SB 1070 legislation was a "clear calling that the federal government needs to do a better job" but stopped short of supporting the law itself.

January 6, 2011: Reading of the Constitution

On January 6, 2011, Giffords participated in the reading of the United States Constitution on the floor of the House of Representatives; she read the First Amendment.

August 1, 2011: Return to the House Floor

On August 1, 2011, Gabby Giffords returned to the House floor to vote in favor of raising the debt limit ceiling, where she received a standing ovation from fellow members of Congress.

August 2011: Voted in Favor of Raising the Debt Ceiling

In August 2011, Gabby Giffords voted in favor of raising the U.S. debt ceiling.

November 14, 2011: Joint Interview with Diane Sawyer

On November 14, 2011, Giffords and Kelly were interviewed by ABC's Diane Sawyer in their first joint interview since the shooting, which aired on a special edition of 20/20 in conjunction with the book's publication.

November 15, 2011: Publication of Memoir

On November 15, 2011, a joint memoir by Giffords and her husband, Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope, with co-author Jeffrey Zaslow, was published.

Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope

Check it on Amazon

November 2011: Memoir Reports Return to Congress

In November 2011, Kelly's memoir, Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope, reported that Giffords would return to Congress.

Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope

Check it on Amazon

2011: Voted for John Lewis for Speaker of the House

In 2011, during the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives election, Giffords was one of 18 Democrats to cast their vote for someone other than Nancy Pelosi, voting instead for Congressman John Lewis.

January 2012: Resigned from the U.S. House of Representatives

In January 2012, Gabrielle Giffords resigned from her position in the United States House of Representatives due to a severe brain injury suffered during an assassination attempt.

January 22, 2012: Resignation Announcement

On January 22, 2012, Gabby Giffords announced in a video statement that she intended to resign her seat to focus on her recovery.

September 6, 2012: Pledge of Allegiance at DNC

On September 6, 2012, Giffords led the Pledge of Allegiance at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

January 2013: Launched Americans for Responsible Solutions

In January 2013, Giffords and her husband launched Americans for Responsible Solutions, a non-profit organization and super-PAC focused on gun violence prevention, which later became GIFFORDS.

January 30, 2013: Testified at Senate Judiciary Committee hearing

On January 30, 2013, Gabby Giffords was a surprise witness at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on gun violence. She called for Congress to pass tougher laws on guns, saying "too many children are dying."

2013: Foundation of Americans for Responsible Solutions

In 2013, after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Gabby Giffords and her husband founded the nonprofit organization Americans for Responsible Solutions (ARS) to support candidates who champion gun safety.

2016: Endorsed Kamala Harris' campaign for U.S. senate

In 2016, Gabby Giffords endorsed Kamala Harris' campaign for U.S. senate.

2016: Speech at Democratic National Convention

In 2016, Giffords delivered a speech in support of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton at the Democratic National Convention.

2016: Merged with Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence

In 2016, the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence merged with Americans for Responsible Solutions, changing the organization’s name to GIFFORDS.

2017: Americans for Responsible Solutions Renamed GIFFORDS

In 2017, Americans for Responsible Solutions joined forces with the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence and renamed itself GIFFORDS, in honor of its founder.

2017: Implored lawmakers to take action after Las Vegas shooting

In 2017, after the Las Vegas shooting that killed 58 and injured 546, Gabby Giffords implored lawmakers to take action, saying she "knows the horror of gun violence all too well."

2017: Organization renamed to Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence

In 2017, the GIFFORDS organization changed its name to Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

2020: Spoke at Democratic National Convention

In 2020, Gabby Giffords spoke on the third night of the Democratic National Convention, urging action on gun control. She also performed "America" on the French horn as a symbol of her recovery.

2020: Endorsement of Joe Biden

In 2020, Giffords gave a speech endorsing Joe Biden's presidential bid at the Democratic National Convention. In her speech, she described her experience picking up the French horn again as part of her music therapy.

2020: Mark Kelly Becomes U.S. Senator

In 2020, Mark Kelly, Gabby Giffords' husband, became a U.S. Senator for Arizona.

October 2021: Launch of GIFFORDS Center for Violence Intervention

In October 2021, GIFFORDS launched the GIFFORDS Center for Violence Intervention, a program focused on promoting community-based solutions to gun violence. The program began hosting an annual Community Violence Intervention Conference.

2022: Ongoing Aphasia and Support Group

As of 2022, Giffords continues to experience aphasia, which diminishes her ability to communicate, and she co-founded the organization Friends of Aphasia as a support group.

2022: Contribution to Bipartisan Safer Communities Act

In 2022, GIFFORDS provided research and policy suggestions that contributed to the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

2022: Launched GIFFORDS Center for Violence Intervention

In 2022, Gabby Giffords launched the GIFFORDS Center for Violence Intervention to promote "evidence-based, community-driven strategies to reduce gun violence" and assist communities in community violence intervention efforts.

2023: Contribution to White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention

In 2023, GIFFORDS provided research and policy suggestions that contributed to the formation of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.

2024: GIFFORDS Law Center Lawsuit Against Ghost Gun Company Polymer80

In 2024, GIFFORDS Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence settled a major lawsuit against ghost gun company Polymer80 on behalf of Philadelphia, and undertook similar litigation in other parts of the country.

2024: Endorsed Kamala Harris' campaign for president

In 2024, Gabby Giffords endorsed Kamala Harris' campaign for president, declaring the election a "choice between Harris, who would sign a ban on assault weapons, and more gun violence under Donald Trump, who gun-rights groups back."