Tammy Duckworth is an American politician and retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel. She was born on March 12, 1968, in Bangkok, Thailand, and later moved to the United States. Duckworth served in the Iraq War, where she lost both of her legs and sustained other injuries in a helicopter crash. She is known for her advocacy for veterans and people with disabilities. In 2016, Duckworth was elected as a U.S. Senator from Illinois, becoming the first Thai-American woman and the first female double amputee to serve in the Senate. She is a member of the Democratic Party and has focused on issues such as healthcare, education, and military affairs during her time in office.