During her Sociology of Women class Tuesday, Katie Nutter listed off rights exclusive to men.
The next day, she was able to take fighting in combat off that list.
Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced the lifting of a ban that kept women from being allowed to fight on the frontlines of combat Thursday.
In 1994, Secretary of Defense Les Aspin enacted the ban, which officially excluded women from being assigned to units that may engage in direct combat.
Nutter said she was thrilled to hear the news and hopes Panetta’s decision is genuine and not just symbolic.
“I think we look to a lot of our social institutions for norms, for our expectations,” she said. “And I think it’s very discouraging that the military, such a huge and important institution in the U.S., continues to reinforce inequality.”
Kelsey Harclerode, a 21-year-old UF political science and women’s studies senior, said this news came with a mixture of excitement and shock for her. She heard Panetta wasn’t supposed to make a decision for a while.
“We are witnessing a historical moment developing in front of us,” said the Women’s Student Association advocacy director.
In a press conference Thursday, Panetta said in the U.S., it is “the responsibility of every citizen to protect the nation, and every citizen who can meet the qualifications of service should have that opportunity.”
Women make up approximately 15 percent of the U.S. military’s active personnel, according to the Department of Defense’s website. Now, about 250,000 jobs will be open to them and women who enlist in the future. Military departments must have plans for implementing this lift by May 15, according to the department.
Nutter said by lifting the ban, she hopes the military’s paternal approach will be reduced.
“I want men and women to be equal, and that includes the not-so-pretty stuff. Yeah, I want equality because I want equal pay, but I also want to be exposed to the risks and the downfalls,” she said. “I think that is a big step — that women don’t need to be protected and coddled and patronized.”
Panetta said in the press conference when fighting for the U.S., women are viewed no differently than men.
“They serve, they’re wounded, and they die right next to each other,” he said. “The time has come to recognize that reality.”
But Estefania Concepcion, a 22-year-old UF sociology senior, said this is just another way for women to get hurt, even if it’s “one more step for equality.”
Nutter said this gives women more role models.
“Now girls and women can say, ‘Look, now I can do these jobs. Maybe someday I will be able to be a Navy SEAL,’” she said.
UF’s ROTC programs declined to comment on the matter.
