She attended the Singapore American School (SAS) in the 1980s. According to the school’s website, she was part of its basketball and track teams.
Duckworth finished her high school education in Hawaii after her family left Asia.
She graduated from the University of Hawaii in 1989 before moving to Washington to pursue a Master’s degree in International Relations at George Washington University.
A WOMAN OF MANY FIRSTS
Described by George Washington University as someone who has led “a life filled with firsts”, Duckworth was the first Thai-American woman and first person born in Thailand elected to Congress.
The 57-year-old, who lost both of her legs and some mobility in her right arm while serving during the Iraq War, was also the first disabled veteran elected to Congress.
When she was elected to the US Senate in 2016, she was the first female double amputee in the upper house.
Duckworth went on to become the first senator to give birth while in office when she had her second daughter in 2018, highlighting issues of parental leave and working mothers in politics.
After giving birth, she secured a rules change that allowed senators to bring their infant children onto the Senate floor.