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When Senior Capt. Graciela Tiscareño-Sato graduated from flight school in the Spring of 1991, she stood before her class during graduation and announced proudly she wanted to fly an F-15 E Strike Eagle Combat Jet.
Tiscareño-Sato was third in her class. Yet, despite her merits, she would not get to pilot her dream aircraft because she’s a woman.
Two years later, in 1993, the Pentagon dropped the prohibition on women flying in combat missions and by 1995 Martha McSally became the first female fighter pilot to fly in an A-10 Thunderbolt II for combat in Iraq.
On Thursday, Defense Secretary Ash Carter gave women a tremendous victory in the military, ordering to open all military jobs to women – including arguably the most dangerous positions in combat: infantry on the frontlines for the U.S. Marine Corps.
The landmark decision is being met with ubiquitous praise, particularly from Hispanic female veterans and active service members who for decades have blazed trails for minority women in the ranks of the armed forces.
“They come home with the same combat battle scars as males do. I know, I see them in the work I do for them every day. Women have been vital to every theater of war.”
– Xiomara A. Sosa, Founder, President and CEO of You are Strong! Center on Veterans Health and Human Services Inc.,
“For those of us who have served – finally,” said Tiscareño-Sato, who served nine-and-a-half years as a KC-135R Tanker navigator and instructor in the Air Force before retiring in 1999. “I was denied my first choice. What this decision means is women will not be denied anymore.”
Tiscanero-Sato, who is now an author, said Tuesday’s announcement is a major turning point in history.
“That’s great for our country, that we will have the best talent on the frontlines and leading,” she said.
Active duty, inactive and veteran women in the military will tell you that Thursday’s decision reinforces what they already….
To read full story: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2015/12/04/latina-veterans-proud-to-finally-see-all-combat-jobs-to-women/