Change and challenges: women in today’s military
by Rachel
Last Thursday, U.S. Navy veteran Kim Mitchell, Deputy Director for Dixon Center, participated in a panel called “Change and Challenges — Women in Today’s Military” at the Pritzker Military Library here in Chicago. Two of my colleagues here at Easter Seals were at the event, and when they returned to the office they told me how powerful it all was. I wan’t surprised.
The panel took place one day after the Pentagon announced that the U.S. military will be lifting its ban on women serving in combat. When Mitchell was asked to comment on the Pentagon’s decision, she pointed out that as a Navy veteran, she knows women have been serving side-by-side with their male counterparts for years. Referring to the Pentagon’s announcement as a “watershed moment for our country,” she said it recognizes the capabilities, valor and achievements of all service members.
“Opening combat roles to females should not be lauded as a bold step but rather a normal progression towards equality,” she said. “The military’s mix of gender, races, creed, lifestyles, and backgrounds makes it a bellwether of society. This decision should not be used as an opportunity for demagoguery, but rather a chance to acknowledge our military’s ability to fight and win our nations’ wars.”
Mitchell — along with Dixon Center and Easter Seals — urge policymakers to collaborate with the myriad of resources in the civic and private sector. She emphasized the need to support and dedicate resources to all military service members — women and men alike — and their families and the families of the fallen when they return home from their deployments. “We need to consolidate local efforts in communities and find synergies for the delivery of services or to services,” Mitchell concluded. “We as a society need to focus on enabling their potential, and not create more cookie-cutter solutions. This is our mission at Dixon Center.”
Easter Seals is a valuable resource to military service members, veterans and their families. Call Easter Seals Community One Source at 866-423-4981 to find local support if you’re a military family or if you want to learn how to make a difference for military families.