Civil and Human Rights Coalition Applauds Greater Military Integration of Women

WASHINGTON – Nancy Zirkin, executive vice president for policy at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement in response to today’s announcement from Defense Secretary Ash Carter that the military will no longer discriminate against women seeking combat positions:

“Every time our military has integrated to reflect our society, it has become a stronger force and a transformative engine for equality in our nation. 

Today’s announcement that women can now earn their way to any position—combat or otherwise—marks another milestone in that journey for women everywhere who want to serve their country as equals.

We still have a long way to go to remove the lingering grasp of sexism in our society, but this announcement is another welcome step in the right direction.”

Nancy Zirkin is executive vice president and director of policy of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

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