Martha McSally is a bit of a contrarian—but one would likely have to be in order to negotiate against predictably unpleasant push-back to become the Air Force’s first female combat pilot. Lt. Col. McSally also holds the title of first Air Force servicewoman to serve as the commander of an aviation squadron, whether it be bombers or fighters. McSally unsurprisingly met many challenges along the way, but has cited every denial and “no” she received as fuelling her motivation to press onward.
McSally spent over 25 years in the Air Force, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in biology and a Master of Arts in public policy from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government during her service. She retired from the military in 2010, after which she transitioned to politics in Arizona under the Republican party, where she gained a reputation largely as a moderate.
In 2019, McSally came forward about sexual misconduct she faced while serving her country. At an Armed Services Committee Subcommittee hearing on military sexual assault, she stated, "...like you, I also am a military sexual assault survivor, but unlike so many brave survivors, I didn’t report being sexually assaulted. Like so many women and men, I didn't trust the system at the time.”
Her testimony forced the Department of Defense to take a long, hard look at how to effect the type of meaningful change that would provide safety and support for the women they employ. It’s yet another uphill battle, but history has proven that McSally thrives on resistance and refuses to back down.
Speaking out against sexual assault on behalf of its victims won her the support of many women, but others feel she has a long way to go to be a true champion of the female cause. She is staunchly pro-life and opposes abortion in nearly all cases, though when asked if she thought Roe v. Wade should be overturned, she did not take a public stance.