In all the doom and gloom of November, there came from the sidelines of congress, a faint glimmer of hope. -Emma Talamantes
This election season ended somberly for most of our United States this last Tuesday, with election of someone many characterize as the face of the modern misogynistic and xenophobic white supremacy. But, with all the formidable doom inspired by the election, there came a ray of hope, as the number of women of color elected to Senate quadrupled: from one to four. Although a small group, one would hope that they forecast a new wave of integration within the legislative branch. These new senators include Tammy Duckworth (Illinois), Catherine Cortez Masto (Nevada) and Kamala Harris (California) and will be joining Mazie Hirono (Hawaii) come January.
Tammy Duckworth
Born in 1968 in Bangkok, Tammy’s father was an American U.S. Marine. She was born in Thailand. When she was sixteen, her family moved to Hawaii, where she would later graduate from the University of Hawaii, and go on to receive a Master of Arts in international affairs from George Washington University. Inspired by her father's military career, Tammy went on to pursue a career in the National Guard. While deployed in Iraq, Tammy sustained injuries in both legs, becoming the first female double amputee in the war after the helicopter she was co piloting was hit by a rocket propelled grenade. Tammy received a purple heart, and retired as a decorated lieutenant colonel in order to complete a PhD in Human Services from Capella University.
As a Democrat, Tammy supports abortion rights and Obamacare. She supports both the welcoming of Syrian refugees, and providing a pathway to citizenship for those who have entered the country illegally. During the Iraq war, she was openly critical of George W. Bush’s strategies. She continues to fight on behalf of people with disabilities, and was honored by the city of Chicago’s Access Living for her work on behalf of veterans with disabilities in 2011.
Born in 1968 in Bangkok, Tammy’s father was an American U.S. Marine. She was born in Thailand. When she was sixteen, her family moved to Hawaii, where she would later graduate from the University of Hawaii, and go on to receive a Master of Arts in international affairs from George Washington University. Inspired by her father's military career, Tammy went on to pursue a career in the National Guard. While deployed in Iraq, Tammy sustained injuries in both legs, becoming the first female double amputee in the war after the helicopter she was co piloting was hit by a rocket propelled grenade. Tammy received a purple heart, and retired as a decorated lieutenant colonel in order to complete a PhD in Human Services from Capella University.
As a Democrat, Tammy supports abortion rights and Obamacare. She supports both the welcoming of Syrian refugees, and providing a pathway to citizenship for those who have entered the country illegally. During the Iraq war, she was openly critical of George W. Bush’s strategies. She continues to fight on behalf of people with disabilities, and was honored by the city of Chicago’s Access Living for her work on behalf of veterans with disabilities in 2011.
Catherine Cortez Masto
Catherine was born in 1964 in Las Vegas, and went on to get a degree in finance from University of Nevada, Reno. In 1990, she was officially admitted into the Nevada state bar, securing her position as a lawyer. In 2009, her office began investigating deeply into Bank of America, accusing the company of raising interest rates on troubled borrowers. The lawsuit was eventually settled for $750 million, but Bank of America still denies any wrongdoing.
As a Democrat, she supported funding renewable energy technology and Planned Parenthood. She will be the first Latina in the U.S. Senate.
Catherine was born in 1964 in Las Vegas, and went on to get a degree in finance from University of Nevada, Reno. In 1990, she was officially admitted into the Nevada state bar, securing her position as a lawyer. In 2009, her office began investigating deeply into Bank of America, accusing the company of raising interest rates on troubled borrowers. The lawsuit was eventually settled for $750 million, but Bank of America still denies any wrongdoing.
As a Democrat, she supported funding renewable energy technology and Planned Parenthood. She will be the first Latina in the U.S. Senate.
Kamala Harris
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Kamala was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1990. As an attorney, she started a program that gives first-time drug dealers the chance to earn a high-school diploma and find employment. In 2010, she became the Attorney General of California. On January 3, 2011, Harris broke the mold, becoming the first female, African American, and Indian American attorney general in California.
As a Democrat, Harris strongly advocates for gun control laws and opposes the death penalty. She has openly supported same sex and implemented programs in San Francisco to protect LGBTQ people from hate crimes. In 2004, The National Urban League honored Harris as a "Woman of Power". In 2005, she received the Thurgood Marshall Award from the National Black Prosecutors Association.
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Kamala was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1990. As an attorney, she started a program that gives first-time drug dealers the chance to earn a high-school diploma and find employment. In 2010, she became the Attorney General of California. On January 3, 2011, Harris broke the mold, becoming the first female, African American, and Indian American attorney general in California.
As a Democrat, Harris strongly advocates for gun control laws and opposes the death penalty. She has openly supported same sex and implemented programs in San Francisco to protect LGBTQ people from hate crimes. In 2004, The National Urban League honored Harris as a "Woman of Power". In 2005, she received the Thurgood Marshall Award from the National Black Prosecutors Association.
