Childhood and Education Journey of Tammy Duckworth in Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Tammy Duckworth. From birth to education, explore key events.

Tammy Duckworth is an American politician and retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel currently serving as a U.S. Senator from Illinois since 2017. As a member of the Democratic Party, she previously represented Illinois's 8th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2017. Her military service and subsequent political career have made her a notable figure in American politics.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

March 12, 1968: Tammy Duckworth Born

On March 12, 1968, Ladda Tammy Duckworth was born in Bangkok, Thailand. She is now an American politician and the junior United States Senator from Illinois.

Others born on this day/year

1984: Strong Castle CEO Ankle Injury

In 1984, Braulio Castillo injured his ankle at the US Military Academy's prep school, USMAPS.

1985: Graduated from McKinley High School

In 1985, Tammy Duckworth graduated from McKinley High School in Honolulu, where she participated in track and field.

1989: Graduated from University of Hawaii at Manoa

In 1989, Tammy Duckworth graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a Bachelor of Arts in political science.

1992: Received Master's Degree from George Washington University

In 1992, Tammy Duckworth received a Master of Arts in international affairs from George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs.

1993: Marriage to Bryan Bowlsbey

In 1993, Tammy Duckworth married Bryan Bowlsbey. They met during Duckworth's participation in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps and served together in the Illinois Army National Guard.

September 11, 2001: Reference to overseas military spending

During her unsuccessful 2006 congressional campaign, Tammy Duckworth referenced the events of September 11, 2001, when she called on Congress to audit the estimated $437 billion spent on overseas military and foreign aid since that date.

November 12, 2004: Injured in Iraq War

On November 12, 2004, Tammy Duckworth sustained severe injuries, losing both legs, when the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter she was co-piloting in Iraq was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.

2004: Injured in Iraq War

In 2004, Tammy Duckworth lost both legs and some mobility in her right arm when her Black Hawk helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade during the Iraq War, making her the first female double amputee from the war.

2005: Death of father Franklin Duckworth

In 2005, Tammy Duckworth's father, Franklin Duckworth, a veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps, passed away.

September 30, 2006: Democratic Party Response to Bush's Radio Address

On September 30, 2006, Tammy Duckworth gave the Democratic Party's response to President George W. Bush's weekly radio address, criticizing Bush's Iraq War strategy.

October 2006: Comments on Iraq War

In October 2006, The Sunday Times reported that Tammy Duckworth agreed with General Sir Richard Dannatt that the presence of coalition troops was exacerbating the conflict in Iraq.

May 2010: Honorary Degree from Northern Illinois University

In May 2010, Northern Illinois University awarded Tammy Duckworth the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.

2010: Induction into Army Women's Hall of Fame

In 2010, Tammy Duckworth was inducted into the Army Women's hall of fame for her service in Iraq, and is heavily decorated for her service, with over 10 distinct military honors, most notably the Purple Heart.

April 3, 2013: Returned portion of salary

On April 3, 2013, Tammy Duckworth publicly returned 8.4% of her congressional salary for that month to the United States Department of Treasury in solidarity with furloughed government workers.

2014: Birth of Daughter Abigail

In 2014, Tammy Duckworth and Bryan Bowlsbey's first daughter, Abigail, was born.

Others born on this day/year

March 2015: Completed PhD at Capella University

In March 2015, Tammy Duckworth completed a PhD in human services at Capella University School of Public Service Leadership.

March 30, 2015: Duckworth Announces Senate Candidacy

On March 30, 2015, Tammy Duckworth announced her candidacy to challenge incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Mark Kirk in the 2016 Senate election in Illinois.

October 27, 2016: Kirk's comment during televised debate

During a televised debate on October 27, 2016, Mark Kirk made a controversial comment about Tammy Duckworth's parents' service, leading the Human Rights Campaign to rescind its endorsement of Kirk and switch it to Duckworth, denouncing Kirk's comment as "deeply offensive and racist."

2016: Gun Control Filibuster and House Sit-in

In 2016, Tammy Duckworth participated in the Chris Murphy gun control filibuster. During the 2016 United States House of Representatives sit-in, she hid her mobile phone in her prosthetic leg to prevent it being taken away.

2016: GQ Interview on Firearm Restrictions

In a 2016 interview with GQ magazine, Tammy Duckworth discussed the necessity of Senate control and "closing the gap" in the House to pass firearm restrictions.

January 2018: Response to Government Shutdown

In January 2018, when the federal government shut down due to the Senate's inability to agree on a funding bill, Tammy Duckworth responded to President Trump's accusations.

April 6, 2018: Death of Senator Daniel Akaka

Former Senator Daniel Akaka from Hawaii, who helped the couple name both of their daughters, died on April 6, 2018, three days before Maile was born.

April 12, 2018: Senate Rule Change for Senators with Young Children

On April 12, 2018, Tammy Duckworth introduced Senate Resolution 463, which passed by unanimous consent, changing Senate rules to allow a senator to bring a child under one year old to the Senate floor during votes.

August 2018: Letter on Migrant Children Reunification

In August 2018, Tammy Duckworth was one of 17 senators to sign a letter led by Kamala Harris to United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen, demanding action to reunite 539 migrant children with their families.

2019: Participated in "The Military Women Aviators Oral History Initiative (MWAOHI)" project

In 2019, Tammy Duckworth participated in the National Air and Space Museum's "The Military Women Aviators Oral History Initiative (MWAOHI)" project.

September 2020: Criticism of Amy Coney Barrett Nomination

In September 2020, Tammy Duckworth publicly criticized Trump's decision to nominate Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, citing Barrett's affiliation with a group that considers in vitro fertilization immoral as disqualifying and insulting to parents.

2020: 2020 Democratic National Convention

In 2020, Tammy Duckworth was the permanent co-chair of the Democratic National Convention. At the 2020 convention, she called Trump "coward-in-chief" for not supporting the American military.

January 3, 2021: Vote for Speaker of the House

On January 3, 2021, Tammy Duckworth received a vote for Speaker of the House of Representatives from Jared Golden, despite not being a member of that legislative body.

January 6, 2021: Capitol Attack Aftermath

In the aftermath of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, which influenced the creation of S. 3635, the Public Safety Officer Support Act of 2022, Washington, D.C. police officer Jeffrey Smith suffered repeated attacks at the Capitol.

June 6, 2021: Visit to Taipei to announce vaccine donation

On June 6, 2021, Tammy Duckworth and Senators Dan Sullivan and Christopher Coons visited Taipei to meet President Tsai Ing-wen and Minister Joseph Wu to announce President Biden's donation plan of 750,000 COVID-19 vaccines.

2021: Response to Capitol Attack

In 2021, after the attack on the U.S. Capitol, Tammy Duckworth, who was participating in the certification of the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count, called Trump "a threat to our nation" and called for his immediate removal from office. She also called for the resignation of Representative Mary Miller after Miller quoted Adolf Hitler.

May 2022: Context for Taiwan Visit

In May 2022, other partners feared angering China from the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, leading to Duckworth's mission planned in conjunction with the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

June 2022: Visit to Taiwan

In June 2022, President Biden sent Tammy Duckworth to Taiwan, where she held a press conference with Tsai Ing-wen to announce the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade.

November 8, 2022: Duckworth Reelected to the Senate

On November 8, 2022, Tammy Duckworth was reelected to the Senate, defeating Republican nominee Kathy Salvi. This win made Duckworth the first woman reelected to the Senate from Illinois.

2022: Response to Overturning of Roe v. Wade

In 2022, after Roe v. Wade was overturned, Tammy Duckworth expressed outrage and horror, describing the decision as a "nightmare" that deprived women of their right to make health care decisions.