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Since August of 2001, when McSally sued the
government, some policy changes have occurred. Once she filed the lawsuit,
she embarked on a series of interviews to raise awarrness about the issue
and generate political pressure on the Defense Department. In January
of this year, the military amended the policy so that women are "strongly
encouraged," but no longer required to wear the abaya when they leave
the base. In February, the requirements banning women from sitting in
the front seat and leaving the base unescorted were dropped, but are still
strongly encouaged. McSally's tour
ended last December and she is now stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force
Base, in Tucson, Arizona. She now supervises fifteen enlisted personnel
who could be deployed as ground support for an air war. McSally is still
committed to the Air Force until December 2003. She hopes that when her
service is complete she'll be remembered as a "dedicated officer
and warrior--and a woman who stood up for her beliefs".
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| Since McSally's interview with Cynthia
Hanson took place, her case has been in court yet again. McSally's compelling
story "The fight of my life" written by Cynthia Hanson can be
read in the May 2002 issue of Ladies Home Journal. On Wednesday, April 24,
McSally's case was back in court. The government argued that her case should
be dropped based on the fact that certain policies have already been amended
(wording changed from "mandatory" to "strongly encouraged").
However, the Rutherford Institute says that, "The language still presents
concerns about coercion of female military personnel". The Institute's
attorneys also point out, "that the government still continues to purchase
and issue Muslim garb for American servicewomen, a clear violation of the
First Amendment's Establishment Clause". John Whitehead, founder of
the Rutherford institute says, "In military culture, 'strongly encouraged'
is perceived as tantamount to a direct order, allowing the Department of
Defense to continue its discriminatory policy under another name".
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John W. Whitehead
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