Early Life and Education of Kyrsten Sinema: A Complete Timeline
Discover the defining moments in the early life of Kyrsten Sinema. From birth to education, explore key events.
Kyrsten Sinema is an American politician who served as a U.S. Senator for Arizona from 2019 to 2025. Initially a Democrat, she became an independent in December 2022. Prior to her political career, Sinema worked as a social worker.
July 12, 1976: Kyrsten Sinema Born
On July 12, 1976, Kyrsten Sinema was born.
1999: Master of Social Work Degree
In 1999, Sinema completed a Master of Social Work degree at Arizona State University.
September 12, 2001: Opposed to War
Kyrsten Sinema opposed "war in all its forms" from September 12, 2001.
February 15, 2003: Anti-War Protest
On February 15, 2003, Sinema led a group that distributed flyers portraying a U.S. service member as a skeleton, during an anti-war protest in Phoenix.
2003: Adjunct Professor at ASU
In 2003, Sinema became an adjunct professor at Arizona State University School of Social Work.
2003: Protested Joe Lieberman
In 2003, Sinema protested Joe Lieberman's unsuccessful 2004 presidential bid.
2004: J.D. Degree
In 2004, Sinema earned a J.D. degree from Arizona State University College of Law and began working as a criminal defense lawyer.
2004: Joins Democratic Party
In 2004, Sinema joined the Arizona Democratic Party.
2005: First Public Comment as Official
In 2005, Sinema made her first public comment as an elected official.
2006: Opposition to Arizona Amendment
In 2006, Kyrsten Sinema opposed a proposed amendment to the Arizona state constitution which would have banned same-sex marriages and civil unions.
2006: Opposition to War
In 2006, Kyrsten Sinema stated her opposition to "war in all its forms" and mentioned being a core organizer against war from day one (September 12, 2001).
2006: Most Liberal Member
In 2006, Sinema told a radio host that she was "the most liberal member of the Arizona State Legislature".
November 4, 2008: Proposition 102 Approved
On November 4, 2008, Proposition 102, which Sinema campaigned against, was approved by voters.
2008: Opposition to Arizona Amendment banning same-sex marriage
In 2008, Kyrsten Sinema opposed a second proposed amendment banning only same-sex marriage in Arizona.
2008: Harvard Kennedy School Program
In 2008, Sinema completed the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government program.
2008: Proposition 102 Passed
In 2008, a similar referendum, Proposition 102, which would have banned the recognition of same-sex marriage and civil unions in Arizona, passed.
2011: Netroots Nation Address
In 2011, Sinema called Arizona the "meth lab of democracy" in an address to Netroots Nation.
2012: Ph.D. in Justice Studies
In 2012, Sinema earned a Ph.D. in justice studies from Arizona State University.
2012: Declined to Discuss Sexual Orientation
In 2012, when running for U.S. House, Sinema said she did not remember disclosing her sexual orientation in 2005 and declined to discuss the significance of being the first openly bisexual member of the House.
November 17, 2013: Ironman Triathlon Completion
On November 17, 2013, Kyrsten Sinema completed an Ironman Triathlon in a little over 15 hours.
December 25, 2013: Summit of Mount Kilimanjaro
On December 25, 2013, Kyrsten Sinema climbed to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
2015: Publication of Doctoral Dissertation
In 2015, Lexington Books published Sinema's doctoral dissertation on the 1994 Rwandan genocide under the title Who Must Die in Rwanda's Genocide?: The State of Exception Realized.
2018: M.B.A. Degree
In 2018, Sinema completed an online M.B.A. from the W. P. Carey School of Business.
2020: Personal marathon record
In 2020, Kyrsten Sinema set a personal marathon record of 3:21:45.
2021: Marathon Injury
In 2021, Kyrsten Sinema broke her right foot while running a marathon, requiring her to use a hands-free crutch.
