--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Despite the occasional backlash, I’ll…" description: "\"“Despite the occasional backlash, I’ll continue to speak on this topic until people stop assuming that this debate is about whether or not to allow wom..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3e/mary-jennings-hegar-38602_afraid-of-change_despite-the-occasional-backlash-i-ll-con_2978530.jpg" --- # Despite the occasional backlash, I’ll continue to speak on… ![“Despite the occasional backlash, I’ll continue to speak on this topic until people stop assuming that this debate is about whether or not to allow women into combat. Women are already fighting in combat with or without anyone’s permission, and they’re doing so valiantly. What they aren’t doing is…” quote by Mary Jennings Hegar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3e/mary-jennings-hegar-38602_afraid-of-change_despite-the-occasional-backlash-i-ll-con_2978530.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3e/mary-jennings-hegar-38602_afraid-of-change_despite-the-occasional-backlash-i-ll-con_2978530.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3e/mary-jennings-hegar-38602_afraid-of-change_despite-the-occasional-backlash-i-ll-con_2978530.jpg) > ““Despite the occasional backlash, I’ll continue to speak on this topic until people stop assuming that this debate is about whether or not to allow women into combat. Women are already fighting in combat with or without anyone’s permission, and they’re doing so valiantly. What they aren’t doing is being trained alongside their comrades-in-arms, given credit for doing the same jobs as their counterparts, given promotions to jobs overseeing combat operations, or being treated like combat veterans by people back home (even some in the Veterans Administration). Not every man has the skill set or warrior spirit for combat. Not every woman does, either. But everyone that does have that skill set should be afforded the opportunity to compete for jobs that enable them to serve in the way their heart calls them. For some people, that calling is in music or art. Some are natural teachers. There are those who will save lives with science. I was called to be a warrior and to fly and fight for my country. I was afforded the opportunity to answer that call, and because of that, I have lived a full and beautiful life. People will always be afraid of change. Just like when we integrated racially or opened up combat cockpits to women, there will always be those who are vocal in their opposition and their fear. History will do what it always does, however. It will make their ignorant statements, in retrospect, seem shortsighted and discriminatory, and the women who will serve their country bravely in the jobs that are now opening up will prove them wrong. Just like we always have.”” [Mary Jennings Hegar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jennings-hegar/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker argues that women should have equal opportunities in combat roles, emphasizing merit and the historical pattern of resistance to change. **In simple terms:** Women deserve equal combat opportunities based on skill. Key Takeaway Support merit‑based inclusion. Themes gender equality military combat opportunity change Mood determined hopeful Type advocacy inspirational When to use this quote - Military recruitment - policy reform - training programs - public perception - veteran support Key Concepts Meritocracy social progress institutional resistance Questions to Reflect On - What barriers still exist for women in combat? - How can institutions accelerate inclusion? A Different Perspective Resistance may persist despite evidence of capability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afraid of change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid-of-change/) [Allow Women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/allow-women-325450/) [Beautiful life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beautiful-life/) [Combat Woman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/combat-woman-4620958/) [Combat Women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/combat-women-4620957/) [Every man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every-man/) [Every woman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every-woman/) [Feminism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feminism/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Warrior spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/warrior-spirit/) [Women Combat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women-combat-874515/) [Women Serve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women-serve-914869/) ## Related quotes > [Women's combat sports have been on a good run in the United States. 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So… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/that-s-give-donald-trump-so-much-attention-and-it-s-so-funny-there/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [What does it say about a country that has to force its women into combat?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-boebert/what-does-it-say-about-a-country-that-has-to-force-its-women-into/) [Lauren Boebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-boebert/) > [Every country that has experimented with women in actual combat has abandoned the idea, and the notion that Israel uses women in combat is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllis-schlafly/every-country-that-has-experimented-with-women-in-actual-combat-has/) [Phyllis Schlafly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-schlafly/) > [“The Israelis have consistently refused to put women in combat since their experiences in 1948. I have been told by several Israeli officers that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-grossman/the-israelis-have-consistently-refused-to-put-women-in-combat-since/) [Dave Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-grossman/) > [I'm totally against women in combat, because we live in a culture and a society that imposes on every man the concept of women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-hopper/i-m-totally-against-women-in-combat-because-we-live-in-a-culture-and/) [Grace Hopper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-hopper/) > [Women should be permitted to volunteer for non-combat service... We have no real way of knowing whether the kinds of training that teach men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/women-should-be-permitted-to-volunteer-for-non-combat-service-we-have/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [They send women into combat without being prepared for women in combat. The men resented them being there, and it was just very, very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-gauthier/they-send-women-into-combat-without-being-prepared-for-women-in/) [Mary Gauthier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-gauthier/) > [Much of the demand for women in combat comes from female officers who are eager for medals and promotions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllis-schlafly/much-of-the-demand-for-women-in-combat-comes-from-female-officers-who/) [Phyllis Schlafly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-schlafly/) > [I do not believe in using women in combat, because females are too fierce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/i-do-not-believe-in-using-women-in-combat-because-females-are-too/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [President Obama pushed for fairness in the military, listening to commanders as we ended Don't Ask Don't Tell, and on how to allow women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammy-duckworth/president-obama-pushed-for-fairness-in-the-military-listening-to/) [Tammy Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammy-duckworth/) > [The family exists in order to allow women to have children and to have the protection of a male who takes care of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rocco-buttiglione/the-family-exists-in-order-to-allow-women-to-have-children-and-to/) [Rocco Buttiglione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rocco-buttiglione/) > [“Women are often convinced by many different social norms, expectations, and incentives to live within constraints that similarly placed (in terms of race, class,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cudd-holmstrom/women-are-often-convinced-by-many-different-social-norms-expectations/) [Cudd/Holmstrom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cudd-holmstrom/) > [“Being a parent is a gift, one which most men unselfishly allow women to keep all to themselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/being-a-parent-is-a-gift-one-which-most-men-unselfishly-allow-women/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [It is in Saudi Arabia's best interest to allow women to fully participate in its society, and this includes the right to vote and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-boxer/it-is-in-saudi-arabia-s-best-interest-to-allow-women-to-fully/) [Barbara Boxer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-boxer/) ## More by Mary Jennings Hegar > [“I learned an important lesson about staying focused on the task at hand. 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Admitting I was out of my depth was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jennings-hegar/luckily-senior-master-sergeant-mccabe-had-taught-me-that-asking-for/) [Mary Jennings Hegar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jennings-hegar/) > [“The flightline was exactly where I wanted to be—in the middle of the action, learning and being challenged every day.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jennings-hegar/the-flightline-was-exactly-where-i-wanted-to-be-in-the-middle-of-the/) [Mary Jennings Hegar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jennings-hegar/) > [“Fortis Incito — Incite Bravery”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jennings-hegar/fortis-incito-incite-bravery/) [Mary Jennings Hegar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jennings-hegar/) > [“To be honest, I would learn a lot from my short time working for him because, after all, you can learn a hell of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jennings-hegar/to-be-honest-i-would-learn-a-lot-from-my-short-time-working-for-him/) [Mary Jennings Hegar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jennings-hegar/) [Explore all 11 Mary Jennings Hegar quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jennings-hegar/) ## More Afraid of change quotes > [Don't be afraid of change. you may lose something good, but you may gain something even better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-be-afraid-of-change-you-may-lose-something-good-but-you-may/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We can't be afraid of change. You may feel very secure in the pond that you are in, but if you never venture out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-joybell-c-2/we-can-t-be-afraid-of-change-you-may-feel-very-secure-in-the-pond/) [C JoyBell C](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-joybell-c-2/) > [Habit is necessary. 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They are afraid of change. They do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-krotov/they-think-the-government-shows-people-everything-how-to-work-study/) [Anton Krotov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-krotov/) > [It's kind of depressing when you hear the anti-science rhetoric in America, but I think that people are just afraid of change, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-silva/it-s-kind-of-depressing-when-you-hear-the-anti-science-rhetoric-in/) [Jason Silva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-silva/) > [Most people are afraid of change. But if you look at it as something you can always count on, then it can be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-eastwood/most-people-are-afraid-of-change-but-if-you-look-at-it-as-something/) [Clint Eastwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-eastwood/) > [You can't be afraid of change, especially if it's for the better, for your own advancement..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-can-t-be-afraid-of-change-especially-if-it-s-for-the-better-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [As much as we pretend otherwise, we want what's comfortable, and we're afraid of the different. We're afraid of change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gehry/as-much-as-we-pretend-otherwise-we-want-what-s-comfortable-and-we-re/) [Frank Gehry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gehry/) > [“What if I told you 10 years from now your life would be exactly the same? Doubt you'd be happy. So, why are you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-salmansohn/what-if-i-told-you-10-years-from-now-your-life-would-be-exactly-the/) [Karen Salmansohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-salmansohn/) > [As much as people say they love change, they love it when you change - not when you want them to change. Even when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/safra-a-catz/as-much-as-people-say-they-love-change-they-love-it-when-you-change/) [Safra A. Catz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/safra-a-catz/) > [“Don't be afraid of change. You may lose something good, but you will gain something better.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-camilleri/don-t-be-afraid-of-change-you-may-lose-something-good-but-you-will/) [Josef Camilleri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-camilleri/) > [It's simple-minded people like that, the ones that are afraid of change, they use everything in their power to defend what they stand up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bubba-wallace/it-s-simple-minded-people-like-that-the-ones-that-are-afraid-of/) [Bubba Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bubba-wallace/) [Browse all 94 Afraid of change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid-of-change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Despite the occasional backlash, I’ll continue to speak on this topic until people stop assuming that this debate is about whether or not to allow women into combat. Women are already fighting in combat with or without anyone’s permission, and they’re doing so valiantly. What they aren’t doing is being trained alongside their comrades-in-arms, given credit for doing the same jobs as their counterparts, given promotions to jobs overseeing combat operations, or being treated like combat veterans by people back home (even some in the Veterans Administration). Not every man has the skill set or warrior spirit for combat. Not every woman does, either. But everyone that does have that skill set should be afforded the opportunity to compete for jobs that enable them to serve in the way their heart calls them. For some people, that calling is in music or art. Some are natural teachers. There are those who will save lives with science. I was called to be a warrior and to fly and fight for my country. I was afforded the opportunity to answer that call, and because of that, I have lived a full and beautiful life. People will always be afraid of change. Just like when we integrated racially or opened up combat cockpits to women, there will always be those who are vocal in their opposition and their fear. History will do what it always does, however. It will make their ignorant statements, in retrospect, seem shortsighted and discriminatory, and the women who will serve their country bravely in the jobs that are now opening up will prove them wrong. 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