Senator Tammy Duckworth, Defending the Nation, and the Fight for Equality
Sen. Duckworth: “If you want to win wars…You need all hands on deck, including women.”
Senator Tammy Duckworth, a decorated Army veteran and fierce spokesperson for supporting women in the military, is shown being interviewed by Joy Bronson, director/producer of THE FIGHT TO FIGHT documentary film. Sen. Duckworth, a true hero to many Americans, is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee and an outspoken advocate for women in the military, especially in combat because, as she says, they are “force multipliers.”
Photo Courtesy of Joe Skorupa
Just steps from the towering columns of the Supreme Court, our production crew prepped lights, cameras and microphones. This wasn’t just another day of shooting. It was a moment we had been working toward for the past seven months of filming THE FIGHT TO FIGHT documentary.
Director of Photography Mark Romanov had the scene dialed in. I had my carefully crafted questions rehearsed and ready. Then, Senator Tammy Duckworth, a decorated Army veteran who lost her legs in 2004 when the Blackhawk helicopter she was piloting was shot down by Iraqi insurgents, entered the room and confidently rolled her wheelchair to marks taped on the carpet.
I estimated I had time to ask just seven questions before the Senator had to leave. Her responses were direct, on-point and personal. Clearly, her commanding presence and perspective will feature prominently in our film.
Joy Bronson Discusses Servicewomens’ Issues at a House of Representatives Caucus Meeting
A panel discussion about issues faced by women in the military and women’s veterans was organized by Representative Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, ranking member of the House Armed Services Subcomittee on Military Personal, and her Defense Fellow Vivana Lowe, a US Marine Corps Judge Advocate. Bronson was one of three filmmakers asked to take part in the discussion.
Photo Courtesy of Kayla Williams
“I was literally going through the United States Capitol while I was a patient at Walter Reed recovering from my combat wounds — that I had just been awarded a medal for and that they were congratulating me for — and had women Senators ask me if women belonged in combat,” said Duckworth in answer to one of the key questions, “and I just looked at them and said, ‘Where do you think I lost my legs?’ The nature of modern warfare has changed. There is no front line. There was no front line in Iraq. There was no front line in Afghanistan, no place you could hide women safely, say seven miles behind the front lines. There's no such thing. It doesn't happen.
“Combat is everywhere around you and women are force multipliers in combat. Think of the Marine Corps Lioness units, the all-women teams who would go in and talk to Afghani women to get intelligence that the men couldn't get. If you truly want to win wars and you really want to defend this nation, then you need everybody. You need all hands on deck, including women.”
Busy Week in Washington D.C.
Senator Duckworth is a true American hero to many people, including everyone working on this film and especially me, a veteran helicopter pilot. She is a hero to people across the country not only because of her valor and sacrifice, but also because of the fearless, straightforward way she defends her principles in the face of powerful opposition.
Army Veteran Michelle Thibeau Explains Why Women Should Not Die on the Battlefield
Michelle Thibeau, a veteran who served in the U.S. Army Special Operations Command on a Cultural Support Team embedded with elite combat units, now believes women do not belong in combat. She describes the 10-year effort to integrate women in combat ranks as misguided by celebrating a woman’s ability to die in battle over her capacity to build families and communities at home. Thibeau gives a window into the views of those who oppose women in combat.
Photo Courtesy of Michael Wilker
In addition to Duckworth, I had a chance to speak to several other incredible women during our film crew’s recent week-long trip to the nation’s capital such as Representative Chrissy Houlahan, an Air Force veteran and ranking member of the House Armed Services Subcomittee on Military Personnel.
Our crew’s busy schedule in Washington included:
An interview with Representative Chrissy Houlahan from Pennsylvania, who is co-chair of the Servicewomen and Women Veterans (SWWV) caucus. Rep. Houlahan and her staff were instrumental in reaching out to Sen. Duckworth to help us secure an interview with the busy Senator.
A panel discussion at the SWWV Caucus, a bipartisan group focused on issues faced by women in the military and women’s veterans, which was organized by Defense Fellow Vivana Lowe, a US Marine Corps Judge Advocate.
An interview with Antonieta Rico, distinguished Army veteran and Combat Integration Initiative Fellow at Women in International Security (WIIS), where she supports research on women’s integration into combat arms units.
A follow up interview with Will and Michelle Thibeau, both are Army veterans who oppose having women in combat units. Will Thibeau is a military analyst and commentator for the Claremont Institute, a strong supporter of policies implemented by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
A meeting with Dr. Lauren Van Metre, President and CEO of Women in International Security (WIIS),
regarding current and future collaboration.
Participating in a meeting of Women in the Service Coalition (WiSCI), where the trailer for THE FIGHT TO FIGHT was shown. Executive director Sue Fulton of WiSCI is an advocate for a diverse military force that includes capable women to enhance readiness and prepare our military to win the wars of today and tomorrow.
What Comes Next
The big week in Washington D.C. was our last major trip on the field production calendar. The only shoots left are a short trip to northern California and a half-day shoot in our hometown. Then we begin our post-production phase, the most resource-intense part of the filmmaking process.
As noted in our last blog, to cover the high costs of post-production, we are launching a second round of funding. We believe we captured everything we needed during our shooting phase and the footage we have in the can will tell a powerful story.
Many people in Washington thanked us for the work we are doing. As they put it, there are many smart politicians and policymakers doing everything they can to fight for women’s equality in combat arms, but what’s really needed are strong, personal stories from servicewomen and veterans.
As our film’s producer, Richard Hutton, often says, “Movies are supposed to move people.” And, with your support, we will deliver a film that has the kind of powerful, emotional impact that can influence public opinion and voters.
In the next few days and weeks, we will be reaching out to you, our growing community of friends and supporters, to help us raise the next round of funds. We believe it is important to get the personal stories of these heroic servicewomen into the public arena as soon as possible.
Please consider adding your support to help get our film project over the finish line. With your help we will tell the stories of exceptional women, highlighting their struggles and triumphs as they integrated the U.S. military’s combat arms. And, importantly, THE FIGHT TO FIGHT documentary will reveal the new battles they face under the current administration.
Joy Bronson served as a Naval Aviator from 1986 to 1993 and is the Director/Producer of THE FIGHT TO FIGHT documentary feature film.
The Fight to Fight documentary feature film is at a pivotal stage and needs your support to reach completion. Donations are critical and greatly appreciated, however it is also helpful to sign up to receive our blog and pass on our website link to friends, family and colleagues who are veterans or who care about equality for women. Click here to donate and here to sign up for our blog.