Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois is now highlighted as the first Senator to give birth while in office. She is termed as a barrier breaker for the achievements she has made. As an Indian American, she is a decorated an Iraq War veteran who lost both her legs when her helicopter was shot down. She has managed to stand out in a man dominated environment with her latest political goal being to educate the Senate on creating a workplace that favors new moms.
Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler said that Tammy has been through things she herself would not be able to comprehend. She asserted that Tammy will be able to have a baby as she has conquered a lot while in service. Jaime talks from experience as she has had two children while serving in Congress.
Tammy’s Opinion on Her Elevated Status
Duckworth turns 50 in March and she comments that she appreciates the historic nature of her newborn expected to happen in April. She is also appreciative of the fact that she represents many working mothers and women having babies past their times. With her imminent development, she hopes and expects to find a place in Congress where she could nurse her newborn.
Tammy stated that having her second born child was not really extraordinary but one of the many stops she planned to have in her trail of life and achievements. She went on to state that the Illinois seat is the last job she wants. The Illinois seat is one that was once held by the former US President, Barrack Obama and Tammy acknowledges him as one of her mentors. Other mentors include former Senator Bob Dole, the late 2 Democrat Senators Edward Kennedy, and Daniel Inouye as well as Dick Durbin. She confirmed that the leaders are her mentors majorly because of their stand on the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Tammy Duckworth has noted that she has witnessed problems with compliance and efforts to undermine the Disability Act. She pointed out that the Chicago mass transit system has flaws, for instance, the ladies rooms are not disability approved. Currently floating through Congress is a bill designed to curb dismissive lawsuits under the ADA, a move Duckworth asserts weakens the Act.
Tammy Duckworth Accolades
Tammy stands out as the first female amputee to be elected and serve in Congress, the first Asian-American to represent her State (Illinois) as well as the first Thailand born member of Congress. Her part played in resilience and bravery is clearly reflected in the company of grievously injured veterans who came to lead in the Senate. She is categorized with the likes of Senator Bob Dole, a World War II veteran and John McCain who suffered torture as a prisoner for five years in Vietnam.
