I first saw Michaela standing upright and silent in the back of a classroom
and silent in the back of a classroom
and silent in the back of a classroom while a group of male soldiers told
while a group of male soldiers told
while a group of male soldiers told stories about fighting in the Iraq war
stories about fighting in the Iraq war
stories about fighting in the Iraq war struck by her youth and posture I asked
struck by her youth and posture I asked
struck by her youth and posture I asked if she had been a soldier – oh yes she
if she had been a soldier – oh yes she
if she had been a soldier – oh yes she said I was a gunner every night I was
said I was a gunner every night I was
said I was a gunner every night I was shot at but when I say I was in a war
shot at but when I say I was in a war
shot at but when I say I was in a war nobody believes me and you know why
nobody believes me and you know why
nobody believes me and you know why because I’m a female but what was it
because I’m a female but what was it
because I’m a female but what was it like being a woman in combat I asked she
like being a woman in combat I asked she
like being a woman in combat I asked she looked at me
looked at me
looked at me well she said the first thing you’ve got
well she said the first thing you’ve got
well she said the first thing you’ve got to understand is that if you’re a girl
to understand is that if you’re a girl
to understand is that if you’re a girl in the military the guys only let you be
in the military the guys only let you be
in the military the guys only let you be one of three things a bitch a poor or a
one of three things a bitch a poor or a
one of three things a bitch a poor or a dyke you’re a bitch if you won’t sleep
dyke you’re a bitch if you won’t sleep
dyke you’re a bitch if you won’t sleep with them you’re a whore if you’ve got
with them you’re a whore if you’ve got
with them you’re a whore if you’ve got even one boyfriend and you’re a dyke if
even one boyfriend and you’re a dyke if
even one boyfriend and you’re a dyke if they don’t like you so you can’t win yes
they don’t like you so you can’t win yes
they don’t like you so you can’t win yes sir the young woman who was standing
sir the young woman who was standing
sir the young woman who was standing beside her that’s how it was for me I
beside her that’s how it was for me I
beside her that’s how it was for me I was shocked at the time I knew nothing
was shocked at the time I knew nothing
was shocked at the time I knew nothing about soldiers but I did know that more
about soldiers but I did know that more
about soldiers but I did know that more American women had served in Iraq than
American women had served in Iraq than
American women had served in Iraq than in any war since World War two and that
in any war since World War two and that
in any war since World War two and that many had been wounded had lost limbs and
many had been wounded had lost limbs and
many had been wounded had lost limbs and some had even been killed could what
some had even been killed could what
some had even been killed could what these young women were telling me be
these young women were telling me be
these young women were telling me be true and if so what did that say about
true and if so what did that say about
true and if so what did that say about the progress of women in my country in
the progress of women in my country in
the progress of women in my country in general I decided to find out so I spent
general I decided to find out so I spent
general I decided to find out so I spent the next three years traveling the u.s.
the next three years traveling the u.s.
the next three years traveling the u.s. listening to some 40 women who had
listening to some 40 women who had
listening to some 40 women who had served in Iraq or Afghanistan I learned
served in Iraq or Afghanistan I learned
served in Iraq or Afghanistan I learned a lot from them
a lot from them
a lot from them I learned about endurance and resilience
I learned about endurance and resilience
I learned about endurance and resilience and terrible suffering but I also
and terrible suffering but I also
and terrible suffering but I also learned about courage some of the women
learned about courage some of the women
learned about courage some of the women I met told me they were proud of their
I met told me they were proud of their
I met told me they were proud of their service others were not but almost all
service others were not but almost all
service others were not but almost all Michaela’s words and told me they had
Michaela’s words and told me they had
Michaela’s words and told me they had felt painfully alone in Iraq because
felt painfully alone in Iraq because
felt painfully alone in Iraq because they were so outnumbered by men my
they were so outnumbered by men my
they were so outnumbered by men my company consisted of 1,500 men and only
company consisted of 1,500 men and only
company consisted of 1,500 men and only 18 women one told me I was fresh meat to
18 women one told me I was fresh meat to
18 women one told me I was fresh meat to the hungry men there the mortar rounds
the hungry men there the mortar rounds
the hungry men there the mortar rounds that came in daily did less damage to me
that came in daily did less damage to me
that came in daily did less damage to me than the men who shared my food sadly
than the men who shared my food sadly
than the men who shared my food sadly her experience was not unusual at the
her experience was not unusual at the
her experience was not unusual at the time some 90% of women in the US
time some 90% of women in the US
time some 90% of women in the US military were reporting being sexually
military were reporting being sexually
military were reporting being sexually harassed while serving and between a
harassed while serving and between a
harassed while serving and between a quarter and a third said they were raped
quarter and a third said they were raped
quarter and a third said they were raped not by the enemy but by the men on their
not by the enemy but by the men on their
not by the enemy but by the men on their own side was sexual persecution
own side was sexual persecution
own side was sexual persecution considered a disease these rates would
considered a disease these rates would
considered a disease these rates would be an epidemic and even though the
be an epidemic and even though the
be an epidemic and even though the military has been instigating reformists
military has been instigating reformists
military has been instigating reformists lately these these numbers have not
lately these these numbers have not
lately these these numbers have not decreased this isn’t only an American
decreased this isn’t only an American
decreased this isn’t only an American problem
problem
problem Canada Britain France Italy South Korea
Canada Britain France Italy South Korea
Canada Britain France Italy South Korea Israel have all reported sexual assault
Israel have all reported sexual assault
Israel have all reported sexual assault of women in their militaries and women
of women in their militaries and women
of women in their militaries and women are not the only targets in the u.s.
are not the only targets in the u.s.
are not the only targets in the u.s. some 2 percent of men in the military
some 2 percent of men in the military
some 2 percent of men in the military are also sexually assaulted usually by
are also sexually assaulted usually by
are also sexually assaulted usually by groups of other men or of someone of a
groups of other men or of someone of a
groups of other men or of someone of a higher rank the reason men rape men is
higher rank the reason men rape men is
higher rank the reason men rape men is the same reason men rape women not out
the same reason men rape women not out
the same reason men rape women not out of out of control lust as is commonly
of out of control lust as is commonly
of out of control lust as is commonly assumed but as a way to degrade
assumed but as a way to degrade
assumed but as a way to degrade humiliate and terrorize yes there are
humiliate and terrorize yes there are
humiliate and terrorize yes there are rapists who are sexual sadists but by
rapists who are sexual sadists but by
rapists who are sexual sadists but by far the most are venting rage and
far the most are venting rage and
far the most are venting rage and resentment or trying to punish people
resentment or trying to punish people
resentment or trying to punish people they see as threats or Outsiders the
they see as threats or Outsiders the
they see as threats or Outsiders the same is true of sexual harassment and
same is true of sexual harassment and
same is true of sexual harassment and bullying in the military which is why
bullying in the military which is why
bullying in the military which is why military assailants tend to target those
military assailants tend to target those
military assailants tend to target those who have traditionally been
who have traditionally been
who have traditionally been considered outliers women anyone who’s
considered outliers women anyone who’s
considered outliers women anyone who’s not white men they see as weak or gay
not white men they see as weak or gay
not white men they see as weak or gay and lately Muslims let me talk a minute
and lately Muslims let me talk a minute
and lately Muslims let me talk a minute about military culture there is probably
about military culture there is probably
about military culture there is probably no institution that gives ordinary
no institution that gives ordinary
no institution that gives ordinary people so much power over others as the
people so much power over others as the
people so much power over others as the military with its chain of command
military with its chain of command
military with its chain of command structure and insistence on
structure and insistence on
structure and insistence on unquestioning obedience unfortunately
unquestioning obedience unfortunately
unquestioning obedience unfortunately this leads easily to abuse last July
this leads easily to abuse last July
this leads easily to abuse last July the New York Times revealed that certain
the New York Times revealed that certain
the New York Times revealed that certain drill sergeants in the US Marine Corps
drill sergeants in the US Marine Corps
drill sergeants in the US Marine Corps were treating their recruits so badly so
were treating their recruits so badly so
were treating their recruits so badly so cruelly tormenting them torturing and
cruelly tormenting them torturing and
cruelly tormenting them torturing and beating them that several died and some
beating them that several died and some
beating them that several died and some committed suicide yet had those recruits
committed suicide yet had those recruits
committed suicide yet had those recruits tried to fight back or report the
tried to fight back or report the
tried to fight back or report the attacks they probably would have been
attacks they probably would have been
attacks they probably would have been made to suffer even more
made to suffer even more
made to suffer even more this tradition of blind obedience and
this tradition of blind obedience and
this tradition of blind obedience and extreme punishment exists to some extent
extreme punishment exists to some extent
extreme punishment exists to some extent in all the military branches officer
in all the military branches officer
in all the military branches officer academies included because it’s seen as
academies included because it’s seen as
academies included because it’s seen as a way to build a disciplined fighting
a way to build a disciplined fighting
a way to build a disciplined fighting force but when it’s combined with the
force but when it’s combined with the
force but when it’s combined with the misogyny so deeply embedded in military
misogyny so deeply embedded in military
misogyny so deeply embedded in military culture it creates an atmosphere ripe
culture it creates an atmosphere ripe
culture it creates an atmosphere ripe for sexual persecution and rape of
for sexual persecution and rape of
for sexual persecution and rape of course sexual predation exists in
course sexual predation exists in
course sexual predation exists in civilian life too but there are
civilian life too but there are
civilian life too but there are differences in the military that in many
differences in the military that in many
differences in the military that in many ways make it worse your comrades could
ways make it worse your comrades could
ways make it worse your comrades could your or your your superiors could be
your or your your superiors could be
your or your your superiors could be insulting you all day long mocking you
insulting you all day long mocking you
insulting you all day long mocking you threatening you grabbing you but you can
threatening you grabbing you but you can
threatening you grabbing you but you can never escape them to go home to the
never escape them to go home to the
never escape them to go home to the comfort of friends and family you have
comfort of friends and family you have
comfort of friends and family you have to live with these people 24 hours a day
to live with these people 24 hours a day
to live with these people 24 hours a day for months sometimes even four years the
for months sometimes even four years the
for months sometimes even four years the same is true even if you’ve been
same is true even if you’ve been
same is true even if you’ve been sexually assaulted a sexual assault can
sexually assaulted a sexual assault can
sexually assaulted a sexual assault can feel like an attempt
feel like an attempt
feel like an attempt murder and indeed assailants do often
murder and indeed assailants do often
murder and indeed assailants do often threaten to kill or maim their victims
threaten to kill or maim their victims
threaten to kill or maim their victims but in the military you might have to
but in the military you might have to
but in the military you might have to live with that assailant day and night
live with that assailant day and night
live with that assailant day and night and even obey his every order of he’s
and even obey his every order of he’s
and even obey his every order of he’s your superior and rank all the while
your superior and rank all the while
your superior and rank all the while afraid that he might attack you again
afraid that he might attack you again
afraid that he might attack you again and then because a soldier is supposed
and then because a soldier is supposed
and then because a soldier is supposed to be able to defend herself and never
to be able to defend herself and never
to be able to defend herself and never complain even if you do report the abuse
complain even if you do report the abuse
complain even if you do report the abuse you are likely to be treated as weak a
you are likely to be treated as weak a
you are likely to be treated as weak a failure and liar and a snitch to be
failure and liar and a snitch to be
failure and liar and a snitch to be bitch to be blamed and ostracized and
bitch to be blamed and ostracized and
bitch to be blamed and ostracized and maybe even punished victim blaming and
maybe even punished victim blaming and
maybe even punished victim blaming and retaliation are so rife in the US
retaliation are so rife in the US
retaliation are so rife in the US military that an average of 80 percent
military that an average of 80 percent
military that an average of 80 percent of victims never report the assaults at
of victims never report the assaults at
of victims never report the assaults at all moreover because you’ve been trained
all moreover because you’ve been trained
all moreover because you’ve been trained to see your comrades as family the
to see your comrades as family the
to see your comrades as family the trauma of an assault is exacerbated by a
trauma of an assault is exacerbated by a
trauma of an assault is exacerbated by a devastating sense of betrayal and the
devastating sense of betrayal and the
devastating sense of betrayal and the knowledge that the very people who are
knowledge that the very people who are
knowledge that the very people who are supposed to watch your back in battle
supposed to watch your back in battle
supposed to watch your back in battle are threatening you instead this might
are threatening you instead this might
are threatening you instead this might be why a woman who’s been sexually
be why a woman who’s been sexually
be why a woman who’s been sexually assaulted in the US military is six
assaulted in the US military is six
assaulted in the US military is six times more likely to kill herself than
times more likely to kill herself than
times more likely to kill herself than any other veterans it is not only
any other veterans it is not only
any other veterans it is not only military women who suffer this sort of
military women who suffer this sort of
military women who suffer this sort of retribution for trying to be equal to
retribution for trying to be equal to
retribution for trying to be equal to men women have almost always been
men women have almost always been
men women have almost always been punished when they first enter all-male
punished when they first enter all-male
punished when they first enter all-male domains you might know women
domains you might know women
domains you might know women firefighters or women police officers or
firefighters or women police officers or
firefighters or women police officers or others who were facing this now and look
others who were facing this now and look
others who were facing this now and look at the scandals to have come out of the
at the scandals to have come out of the
at the scandals to have come out of the Silicon Valley recently about the way
Silicon Valley recently about the way
Silicon Valley recently about the way women are being treated in the tech
women are being treated in the tech
women are being treated in the tech industry back when women first sought
industry back when women first sought
industry back when women first sought the vote it was not unusual for them to
the vote it was not unusual for them to
the vote it was not unusual for them to be imprisoned beaten fired from jobs
be imprisoned beaten fired from jobs
be imprisoned beaten fired from jobs sometimes even forced to be to give up
sometimes even forced to be to give up
sometimes even forced to be to give up their children the story of women’s
their children the story of women’s
their children the story of women’s fight for equality is the story of the
fight for equality is the story of the
fight for equality is the story of the fight for civil rights against resistant
fight for civil rights against resistant
fight for civil rights against resistant all over the world that is why I see
all over the world that is why I see
all over the world that is why I see military women today as fighting for
military women today as fighting for
military women today as fighting for sexual equality for us all they have
sexual equality for us all they have
sexual equality for us all they have gone to the most extreme citadel of
gone to the most extreme citadel of
gone to the most extreme citadel of maleness the military with its age-old
maleness the military with its age-old
maleness the military with its age-old macho traditions and said I am taking my
macho traditions and said I am taking my
macho traditions and said I am taking my place not behind you not beneath you but
place not behind you not beneath you but
place not behind you not beneath you but beside you and more and more women are
beside you and more and more women are
beside you and more and more women are succeeding men are accepting this and
succeeding men are accepting this and
succeeding men are accepting this and things are evening out but resistance
things are evening out but resistance
things are evening out but resistance from some in the Citadel remains strong
from some in the Citadel remains strong
from some in the Citadel remains strong only two years ago Human Rights Watch
only two years ago Human Rights Watch
only two years ago Human Rights Watch released statistics showing that a woman
released statistics showing that a woman
released statistics showing that a woman who reports a sexual assault in the US
who reports a sexual assault in the US
who reports a sexual assault in the US military is 12 times more likely to be
military is 12 times more likely to be
military is 12 times more likely to be punished than a man who commits 1 6 out
punished than a man who commits 1 6 out
punished than a man who commits 1 6 out of 10 women who reported assaults were
of 10 women who reported assaults were
of 10 women who reported assaults were retaliated against and one out of 3 was
retaliated against and one out of 3 was
retaliated against and one out of 3 was pushed out of the military altogether
pushed out of the military altogether
pushed out of the military altogether meanwhile not one of those retaliate
meanwhile not one of those retaliate
meanwhile not one of those retaliate errs or even face charges and the
errs or even face charges and the
errs or even face charges and the conviction rates for rape in the US
conviction rates for rape in the US
conviction rates for rape in the US military has been actually declining at
military has been actually declining at
military has been actually declining at this point you might well wonder why a
this point you might well wonder why a
this point you might well wonder why a woman would want to join the military at
woman would want to join the military at
woman would want to join the military at all if women are treated this badly you
all if women are treated this badly you
all if women are treated this badly you may well be thinking maybe they should
may well be thinking maybe they should
may well be thinking maybe they should just stay out but women are treated
just stay out but women are treated
just stay out but women are treated badly in civilian life 2 in the u.s.
badly in civilian life 2 in the u.s.
badly in civilian life 2 in the u.s. domestic violence is the leading cause
domestic violence is the leading cause
domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women but we can’t expect
of injury to women but we can’t expect
of injury to women but we can’t expect half the world’s population to hide
half the world’s population to hide
half the world’s population to hide itself away no misogyny is not the fault
itself away no misogyny is not the fault
itself away no misogyny is not the fault of a woman and she should not be
of a woman and she should not be
of a woman and she should not be punished for it it is the fault of men
punished for it it is the fault of men
punished for it it is the fault of men who have yet to face up to reality
speaking of reality over the years I’ve
speaking of reality over the years I’ve heard a lot of objections to women
heard a lot of objections to women
heard a lot of objections to women joining the military
joining the military
joining the military look I confess I’ve made some myself
look I confess I’ve made some myself
look I confess I’ve made some myself but they all depend on
but they all depend on
but they all depend on types stuck in the past some of those
types stuck in the past some of those
types stuck in the past some of those stereotypes are sentimental a woman is
stereotypes are sentimental a woman is
stereotypes are sentimental a woman is built to nurture not fight and is better
built to nurture not fight and is better
built to nurture not fight and is better suited to promoting peace than war
suited to promoting peace than war
suited to promoting peace than war this is appealing but it’s not true of
this is appealing but it’s not true of
this is appealing but it’s not true of all women some of the stereotypes are
all women some of the stereotypes are
all women some of the stereotypes are insulting women are too physically weak
insulting women are too physically weak
insulting women are too physically weak and emotionally volatile to depend upon
and emotionally volatile to depend upon
and emotionally volatile to depend upon in a crisis
in a crisis
in a crisis well military women and world leaders
well military women and world leaders
well military women and world leaders have long proven that one false some of
have long proven that one false some of
have long proven that one false some of the stereotypes are absurd women will
the stereotypes are absurd women will
the stereotypes are absurd women will ruin the camaraderie of all-male units
ruin the camaraderie of all-male units
ruin the camaraderie of all-male units and chivalry will make men more inclined
and chivalry will make men more inclined
and chivalry will make men more inclined to protect women in a battle than to
to protect women in a battle than to
to protect women in a battle than to fight I find this last one particularly
fight I find this last one particularly
fight I find this last one particularly laughable in the light of the most under
laughable in the light of the most under
laughable in the light of the most under chivalrous rates of sexual assault in
chivalrous rates of sexual assault in
chivalrous rates of sexual assault in the military these were the same sorts
the military these were the same sorts
the military these were the same sorts of arguments that were used to prevent
of arguments that were used to prevent
of arguments that were used to prevent women from voting from inheriting
women from voting from inheriting
women from voting from inheriting property from choosing their own
property from choosing their own
property from choosing their own destinies from going to university from
destinies from going to university from
destinies from going to university from becoming doctors or scientists
becoming doctors or scientists
becoming doctors or scientists politicians or presidents and every one
politicians or presidents and every one
politicians or presidents and every one of these arguments has been proven
of these arguments has been proven
of these arguments has been proven specious now a woman should be able to
specious now a woman should be able to
specious now a woman should be able to choose for herself who and what to be
choose for herself who and what to be
choose for herself who and what to be certainly not all women are suited to
certainly not all women are suited to
certainly not all women are suited to the military but then nor are all men
the military but then nor are all men
the military but then nor are all men that is a decision that should be up to
that is a decision that should be up to
that is a decision that should be up to the individual not you or me or a bunch
the individual not you or me or a bunch
the individual not you or me or a bunch of all boys in the government with this
of all boys in the government with this
of all boys in the government with this in mind I have a suggestion to measure
in mind I have a suggestion to measure
in mind I have a suggestion to measure how women are doing in your country take
how women are doing in your country take
how women are doing in your country take a look at how your military is treating
a look at how your military is treating
a look at how your military is treating them do they have the same job
them do they have the same job
them do they have the same job opportunities as men how many women
opportunities as men how many women
opportunities as men how many women holds the highest ranks what are the
holds the highest ranks what are the
holds the highest ranks what are the rates of sexual assault and harassment
rates of sexual assault and harassment
rates of sexual assault and harassment in your military and what is your
in your military and what is your
in your military and what is your military doing about it are women even
military doing about it are women even
military doing about it are women even allowed in your military at all and if
allowed in your military at all and if
allowed in your military at all and if not why not now take a look at the women
not why not now take a look at the women
not why not now take a look at the women you know
you know
you know at school at work at home among your
at school at work at home among your
at school at work at home among your friends are they being held back from
friends are they being held back from
friends are they being held back from opportunities can they speak up about
opportunities can they speak up about
opportunities can they speak up about their rights are they listened to with
their rights are they listened to with
their rights are they listened to with the same respect as men are they paid
the same respect as men are they paid
the same respect as men are they paid and promoted at the same rapes as men
and promoted at the same rapes as men
and promoted at the same rapes as men and if you’re a woman are you and if not
and if you’re a woman are you and if not
and if you’re a woman are you and if not what are you gonna do about it you don’t
what are you gonna do about it you don’t
what are you gonna do about it you don’t have to be in the military to fight for
have to be in the military to fight for
have to be in the military to fight for what’s right
what’s right
what’s right remember Michaela standing so silently
remember Michaela standing so silently
remember Michaela standing so silently in the back of that classroom she didn’t
in the back of that classroom she didn’t
in the back of that classroom she didn’t stay silent for long she spoke out on
stay silent for long she spoke out on
stay silent for long she spoke out on behalf of military women not only to me
behalf of military women not only to me
behalf of military women not only to me for my book but on television and now
for my book but on television and now
for my book but on television and now she holds an important job in government
she holds an important job in government
she holds an important job in government helping veterans and this brings me to
helping veterans and this brings me to
helping veterans and this brings me to my earlier point about courage a lot of
my earlier point about courage a lot of
my earlier point about courage a lot of the women I met are fighting back now
the women I met are fighting back now
the women I met are fighting back now they’ve overcome the self blame and
they’ve overcome the self blame and
they’ve overcome the self blame and shame they learned in the military and
shame they learned in the military and
shame they learned in the military and are speaking out about sexual assault
are speaking out about sexual assault
are speaking out about sexual assault and discrimination to help others and
and discrimination to help others and
and discrimination to help others and demand reform but this entails taking
demand reform but this entails taking
demand reform but this entails taking risks because military whistleblowers
risks because military whistleblowers
risks because military whistleblowers are seen by many as disloyal or even
are seen by many as disloyal or even
are seen by many as disloyal or even treacherous these women know better
treacherous these women know better
treacherous these women know better some have joined lawsuits some have
some have joined lawsuits some have
some have joined lawsuits some have testified to Congress some have appeared
testified to Congress some have appeared
testified to Congress some have appeared in documentaries and some have written
in documentaries and some have written
in documentaries and some have written books after all a soldier’s courage
books after all a soldier’s courage
books after all a soldier’s courage doesn’t have to be defined by saving or
doesn’t have to be defined by saving or
doesn’t have to be defined by saving or killing people on a battlefield it can
killing people on a battlefield it can
killing people on a battlefield it can be the kind of courage it takes to speak
be the kind of courage it takes to speak
be the kind of courage it takes to speak out against injustice even in the face
out against injustice even in the face
out against injustice even in the face of threats and that is the kind of
of threats and that is the kind of
of threats and that is the kind of courage we can all use military and
courage we can all use military and
courage we can all use military and civilian alike that’s the kind of
civilian alike that’s the kind of
civilian alike that’s the kind of courage that gives us hope thank you
courage that gives us hope thank you
courage that gives us hope thank you [Applause]
”
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