"A woman who walks in purpose does not have to chase people or opportunities. Her light causes people and opportunities to pursue her."
This quote without a definite author was written on the framed certificate that Congresswoman Gabbard's office presented to me in honor of my YWCA Young Women's Scholarship Award. The words (and admittedly the framed certificate also) have traveled with me to college and continue to inspire me. I found it appropriate to use in introducing Tulsi Gabbard because it accurately depicts this radiant Hawaii Representative that I've come to admire.
What causes me to initially gravitate towards Tulsi is her youthfulness. No, it's not just because she was the youngest person ever elected to the Hawaii State Legislature or that she's currently of the younger members in the U.S. Congress serving today. While these facts alone do lead me to see all the things that can be accomplished and reflect on all the things I myself can do at still a relatively young age, it's much more than that. The concept is a bit difficult to describe in words, but something about her charismatic vibe is one I can connect to.
Tulsi is a soldier. Literally. Like my father, she serves as a member of the Hawaii Army National Guard and has been deeply impacted by what she has experienced through this. In discussing her choice of deploying to Iraq in 2004, she voices, "I knew there was no way I could stay back in beautiful Hawaii and watch my brothers and sisters march off into combat... I had to stand with them." Congresswoman Gabbard, also now holding the rank of Major, can personally attest to knowing the cost of war. She provides constant support to our military veterans through introducing and voting for legislation as a member of the Armed Services Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee, offering legal assistance to veterans through her office liaisons, and coming home to speak at special ceremonial events in honor of those who've fought in battle.
Another characteristic that I see and look up to in Tulsi is her strong sense of identity. With all the different pressures of mainstream media attempting to alter her image, she has stayed true to her convictions. She is shamelessly and beautifully Hindu, which I appreciate considering the lack of diverse representation in American leaders. I think this point of view allows her to bring much more to the table. It's her voice speaking up for and calling attention to culture that aids in cultivating nationwide understanding and appreciation of intersectionality. Tulsi's claiming of these often marginalized identities, also including island girl and woman of color, is very empowering to many young women like me who are still tying to figure out their place in the world.
Even though Tulsi has maintained ties with many people and places on a global scale, it's evident that her deeply-rooted bond with the people of Hawaii holds significant importance. This is a congresswoman who genuinely cares about, well, the state of her state. She continuously expresses this through her down-to-earth words and actions. Through increased outreach and dialogue, Rep. Gabbard is assuredly attuned to what matters to Hawaii. Everything (even the little things) that she does takes into consideration the opinions and needs of her local constituents. For example, I bet our abundant Filipino communities in Hawaii were ecstatic about her interactions with Philippine's Manny Pacquiao in her earlier years in office.
Tulsi and her whole team just overflow with Aloha spirit. Her rhetoric that promotes peace and combats injustice is definitely what America needs. I, whom society refers to as a millennial, often find myself finger-snapping in affirmation to every @TulsiGabbard tweet that I scroll past on Twitter. Additionally, I aspire to one day have this great of a reach and positive impact that my Hawaii Congressional District 2 Representative has.
Tulsi Gabbard is who I'd call my "#GirlHero." Who I get excited for whenever I hear she's visiting my island of Kauai. Who I was a tad bit late to interview for because I was watching a LiveStream of her Democratic National Convention speech. She is whose box I automatically filled in when I received my very first absentee voter's ballot. Who drew me to getting more involved in sometimes daunting political discourse. Who inspires me to be myself and commit to doing work in service of my community. Who I trust, support, and am forever grateful for.
This is why I am unapologetically championing Team Tulsi and hope you'll be motivated to be too.
