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| Tulsi
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Who Is WaterWoman?
WaterWoman was originally played and created by Tulsi Gabbard, HHC's Co-Founder and Vice President. Tulsi was elected to the Hawaii State House of Representatives in 2002, at 21 years old, becoming the youngest legislator ever elected in Hawaii. She enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard in 2003, and shipped off to boot camp shortly after the legislative session was complete As she campaigned for re-election in 2004, the 29th Brigade Combat Team was activated for a combat tour in Iraq. Even though not personally called up for duty, Tulsi knew that she could not stay behind. She volunteered to deploy with the 29th BCT and withdrew from her re-election campaign.
In 2007 she completed 60 days of rigorous training at the Alabama Military Academy's Officer Candidate School. The training was physically and mentally tough, with virtually no contact with the outside world. Out of 155 graduates from 42 states, Tulsi received awards as the Distinguished Honor Graduate, due to her being at the overall top of her class in leadership evaluations, academics, physical fitness, and peer evaluations. Tulsi made history by becoming the first female Distinguished Honor Graduate in the Alabama Military Academy's 50 year history.
Tulsi was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and recently returned from her second deployment in the Middle East with the Hawai'i Army National Guard's Military Police. As a First Lieutenant, Tulsi served as a military police officer and led a platoon of 33 soldiers, conducting a variety of security missions, as well as training with the Kuwait National Guard. We're very proud of her, and all the 1,700 returning warriors of the 29th Brigade Combat Team and thank them for their service to our state and country.
Tulsi now devotes her time to expanding Healthy Hawaii Coalition’s educational program, creating new grassroots community initiatives in order to promote sustainable living, continuing her part-time National Guard duty by working as a Platoon Trainer for the Army’s Officer Candidate School, as well as working with national and international non-profit organizations in the areas of national security, veteran concerns, and foreign policy. She will soon be promoted to Captain.