Deputy Secretary of Defense Highlights Progress Made by Women in Uniform

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks expressed her pride in the progress made by the Department of Defense in expanding opportunities to women and its commitment to advancing gender equity and equality.

Hicks, a 2023 Wash100 Awardee, said on Monday during the 75th anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act that the event is an opportunity to celebrate the talent, tenacity and expertise that women have contributed to the DOD’s mission. Women today are able to serve in various roles in the military, including combat, Hicks said.

Hicks noted that women in the military have come a long way, from the 81 women trailblazers who entered the Naval Academy in 1976, among whom 55 graduated, to the 267 women who graduated in 2023.

According to Hicks, women in uniform continue to make history as they become Army Rangers, fighter pilots and four-star generals, among others. However, she said, the progress made by women in uniform is often met with skepticism and resistance.