The Importance of Supporting Women in the Line of Fire
The creation of the documentary film THE FIGHT TO FIGHT is an act of service led by women who have served.
It is also an act of support for women who are currently serving in the U.S. military.
Playing key roles and providing major inspiration to the film are a team of women who have fought their own battles integrating West Point and fighting to repeal the policy that excluded women from ground combat.
Their efforts enabled the first generation of American women to enter ground combat units in 2016. Two of the women featured in the film are among the first to ever lead ground combat units. Their stories will inspire a new generation of young women to continue the push for greater equality.
Meet the Women Behind the Film
Four women provide deep expertise and authenticity to THE FIGHT TO FIGHT.
Joy Bronson, Director/Producer
As a Naval Aviator from 1986 to 1993, I served at a time when women were prevented from flying combat aircraft or serving on combat ships.
On my first at-sea deployment aboard an oiler, I served as the only women in the aircraft battle group. Later, I flew helicopters from an ammunition supply ship providing combat support to the fleet during the Persian Gulf War.
As the Director/Producer for the FIGHT TO FIGHT, I believe it is critical that the leadership team for the film carry a deep understanding of what it is like for women to serve in the U.S. Military.
Ellen Haring, PhD Co-Producer
Ellen entered West Point in 1980 shortly after it opened to women. During her time at West Point, women were not well received and when she graduated her options were limited to non-combat, support occupations.
In a 30-year Army career, Ellen achieved the rank of Colonel and witnessed more options opening up to women. However, until the last few years of her career women were still restricted from ground combat units despite many examples of women heroically performing in combat.
In 2012, Ellen joined a suit against the Secretary of Defense for sex-based discrimination. In 2013, when the policy was removed, Ellen stepped up to offer support to the first women who volunteered for ground combat units.
In 2016, Ellen led a team that launched a five-year study to follow women as they integrated ground combat units. This study and its video diaries form the heart of this film.
Kris Fuhr Co-Producer
When Kris arrived at West Point, just shy of the one-year anniversary of the first women graduates, two senior women pulled her aside to give the only advice and support they could offer: “You are on your own, it’s every woman for herself.”
Kris survived an attempted sexual assault while thriving as a cadet, graduating 10th in the Class of 1985. She served in the Army until 1992 as an Intelligence officer and went on to a successful career in brand and film marketing.
Flash forward to the spring of 2015. The first women allowed to attend the U.S. Army Ranger school were facing an uphill battle. Kris decided to provide them with the kind of support she never got at West Point.
Forging relationships with senior leaders at the highest levels of the Army, Kris led efforts to ensure Ranger School stayed true to Army Values as the first women arrived. She continues to support men and women at Ranger School today.
Megan MacKenzie
Megan MacKenzie is a professor and the Simons Chair in International Law and Human Security at Simon Fraser University, Canada.
Her field of expertise is broadly focused on the ways that gender matters in understanding war and insecurity.
Megan has been studying military culture and gender integration in the military for over a decade, which includes projects on military sexual violence, the integration of women into combat roles, and military suicide.
Her books include: Beyond the Band of Brothers: The U.S. Military and the Myth That Women Can't Fight and Good Soldiers Don't Rape: The Stories We Tell about Military Sexual Violence.
Show Support for Women in Service
THE FIGHT TO FIGHT has a human focus and is neither pro- nor anti-war. It is an act of support for heroic women who are ready, willing and able to put themselves in the line of fire and go to the front lines in service to their country.
The leadership team for the film is doing everything it can to support women currently in the military at a time when they are facing a hostile political environment.
For those who care about justice and fairness for women, now is a good time to step up and show support.
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 in 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.
Ellen Haring Appears on ABC NewsLive after Peter Hegseth Was Announced as Next Secretary of Defense
November 13, 2024. Ellen Haring, PhD, a retired Colonel in the U.S. Army and co-producer of THE FIGHT TO FIGHT documentary film, appears on the network TV program ABC NewsLive one day after Pete Hegseth was announced as the next Secretary of Defense. Hegseth has publicly stated he is opposed to having women in combat roles. As an expert on the 10-year integration of women in combat units in the U.S. military, Ellen provides hard data and analysis to support currently serving women.
(ABC TV NewsLive photo.)