Martha McSally broke barriers in the military
When McSally began her time in the Air Force, she discovered women weren’t privy to the same opportunities as their male counterparts. She explained to Elle, “So I find out when I get to the Academy that it’s against the law for women to be fighter pilots, and I’m like, What? I’m going through the same training as you. I’m kicking a lot of these guys’ a****, and somehow, just because I have ovaries, I can’t be a fighter pilot?”
McSally graduated from the academy and went on to earn her master’s degree in public policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Then, in 1995, the trained pilot got her due. She earned her flight wings and, while serving in Iraq, became the first female U.S. fighter pilot to fly in combat. Later, in 2004, McSally accomplished another first while serving in Afghanistan, where she became the first woman to command a fighter squadron in active combat.
Martha McSally sued the Department of Defense and won
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
During a tour of duty in Saudi Arabia, Martha McSally broke barriers again by reversing the U.S. military’s requirement that U.S. servicewomen had to wear an abaya — the customary covering Saudi Arabian women wear to cover their bodies. According to the National Organization for Women, McSally elaborated on her complaint in an interview with 60 Minutes, saying, “I have to sit in the back and at all times I must be escorted by a male … [who], when questioned, is supposed to claim me as his wife. I can fly a single-seat aircraft in enemy territory, but [in Saudi Arabia] I can’t drive a vehicle.” McSally sued U.S. Department of Defense over the requirement and won.
It’s clear Martha McSally isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in. At times though, her sharp tongue has rubbed onlookers the wrong way and sometimes, it’s what she doesn’t say that counts.
The Truth About Martha McSally
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By Megan Scott/Oct. 28, 2020 8:59 am EST
Still, McSally’s appointment was a moment in history; Sinema was the first woman ever to serve in the senate on behalf of the state of Arizona (via the Associated Press), making McSally the second. A deep dive into Martha McSally’s life reveals she’s no stranger to making history, although she’s certainly faced challenges along the way.
Martha McSally experienced sexual abuse as a teen
Martha McSally broke barriers in the military
When McSally began her time in the Air Force, she discovered women weren’t privy to the same opportunities as their male counterparts. She explained to Elle, “So I find out when I get to the Academy that it’s against the law for women to be fighter pilots, and I’m like, What? I’m going through the same training as you. I’m kicking a lot of these guys’ a****, and somehow, just because I have ovaries, I can’t be a fighter pilot?”
McSally graduated from the academy and went on to earn her master’s degree in public policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Then, in 1995, the trained pilot got her due. She earned her flight wings and, while serving in Iraq, became the first female U.S. fighter pilot to fly in combat. Later, in 2004, McSally accomplished another first while serving in Afghanistan, where she became the first woman to command a fighter squadron in active combat.
McSally graduated from the academy and went on to earn her master’s degree in public policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Then, in 1995, the trained pilot got her due. She earned her flight wings and, while serving in Iraq, became the first female U.S. fighter pilot to fly in combat. Later, in 2004, McSally accomplished another first while serving in Afghanistan, where she became the first woman to command a fighter squadron in active combat.
Martha McSally sued the Department of Defense and won
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
During a tour of duty in Saudi Arabia, Martha McSally broke barriers again by reversing the U.S. military’s requirement that U.S. servicewomen had to wear an abaya — the customary covering Saudi Arabian women wear to cover their bodies. According to the National Organization for Women, McSally elaborated on her complaint in an interview with 60 Minutes, saying, “I have to sit in the back and at all times I must be escorted by a male … [who], when questioned, is supposed to claim me as his wife. I can fly a single-seat aircraft in enemy territory, but [in Saudi Arabia] I can’t drive a vehicle.” McSally sued U.S. Department of Defense over the requirement and won.
It’s clear Martha McSally isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in. At times though, her sharp tongue has rubbed onlookers the wrong way and sometimes, it’s what she doesn’t say that counts.
It’s clear Martha McSally isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in. At times though, her sharp tongue has rubbed onlookers the wrong way and sometimes, it’s what she doesn’t say that counts.
Martha McSally avoided an important question at the debate
Rob Schumacher-Pool / Getty Images
She couldn’t muster that same candor at the October 6th senate debate, though. When the interviewer asked whether McSally was proud of her past support of President Trump, the senator refused to answer (via Newsweek). Each time she was asked, McSally dodged the question and carried on talking about tax cuts. Pollster Matt McDermott tweeted what many were thinking, “Seriously, how is it possible that Martha McSally has been running for Senate for four years and isn’t prepared to answer a question as easy as ‘Do you like Trump?’”
