Born: 1987 (United States)
Biography:
Chelsea Elizabeth Manning, originally known as Bradley Edward Manning, was born on December 17, 1987, in the United States. She is widely recognized as an American activist and whistleblower. Manning’s life has been marked by significant events, achievements, and challenges that have had a profound impact on society.
Manning’s journey towards activism and whistleblowing began while serving as a United States Army soldier. Assigned to an Army unit in Iraq as an intelligence analyst in 2009, she had authorized access to classified databases. It was during this time that Manning became increasingly disturbed by the information she came across, particularly the actions and policies of the U.S. military.
In early 2010, Manning made a courageous decision that would change the course of her life and elevate her into the realm of whistleblowers. Feeling compelled to shed light on the truth, she leaked nearly 750,000 classified military and diplomatic documents to WikiLeaks. These documents consisted of videos such as the infamous July 12, 2007, Baghdad airstrike and the 2009 Granai airstrike in Afghanistan. They also included 251,287 U.S. diplomatic cables and 482,832 Army reports known as the Iraq War Logs and Afghan War Diary.
Manning’s actions, however, did not go unnoticed. After confiding in an online acquaintance, Adrian Lamo, about her leaks, Lamo indirectly informed the Army’s Criminal Investigation Command of Manning’s actions. Consequently, in May 2010, Manning was arrested. The charges brought against her were severe, including aiding the enemy, which carried the possibility of a death sentence.
The ensuing legal trial and its outcome garnered significant attention both nationally and internationally. Manning faced a number of charges, ultimately pleading guilty to 10 of them in February 2013. The trial on the remaining charges began on June 3, 2013. Two months later, on July 30, Manning was convicted of 17 of the original charges and amended versions of four others, but she was acquitted of aiding the enemy.
Manning’s sentencing was a pivotal moment in her life. She was sentenced to 35 years in the maximum-security U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth. However, her struggle did not end there. Manning faced harsh conditions during her imprisonment, including de facto solitary confinement and other restrictions that raised concerns at both domestic and international levels. She was later transferred to the Joint Regional Correctional Facility at Fort Leavenworth, where she could interact with other detainees.
In a moment that would significantly impact her life, on January 17, 2017, President Barack Obama commuted Manning’s sentence, reducing it to nearly seven years of confinement dating back to her arrest in May 2010. Following her release, Manning turned to speaking engagements as a means of earning a living while continuing to advocate for transparency and accountability.
Manning’s influence on society extends beyond her whistleblowing actions. As a trans woman, she has also played a significant role in raising awareness and understanding about gender identity. In 2013, Manning publicly stated that she had identified as female since childhood and desired to be known as Chelsea Manning. Her journey as a transgender woman has been an inspiration to many, shedding light on the struggles and challenges faced by the transgender community.
In 2018, Manning ventured into the political realm by challenging incumbent Senator Ben Cardin for the Democratic nomination in the United States Senate election in her home state of Maryland. Although not successful, Manning’s campaign allowed her to continue advocating for the issues she holds dear.
Throughout her life, Chelsea Manning has demonstrated immense courage, resilience, and a dedication to revealing the truth. Her actions have sparked important conversations about government transparency, accountability, and the limits of freedom of information. Manning’s impact on society, as both an activist and a transgender woman in the public eye, has made her a significant figure in women’s history.