"There shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed forces without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin."

Executive Order 9981

President Truman signed EO 9981, ending segregation in the U.S. Armed Forces, on this day in 1948… 6 years before the end of school segregation and 16 years before the Civil Rights Act passed.

When thinking about my service in the Army, I am most struck by Black union organizer A. Phillip Randolph's 1948 words to the Senate about the ongoing segregation of the military, "I personally will advise Negroes to refuse to fight as slaves for a democracy they cannot possess and cannot enjoy."

As a woman veteran, these words are particularly meaningful as I've watched my freedoms get stripped away with Republicans' abortion bans and attacks on women.

I'm also horrified that their master plan – Project 2025 – directly targets diversity and inclusion initiatives in the military and across the entire government. It shouldn't matter what someone's race, gender, sexuality, or anything else is if they want to protect our freedoms by risking their lives for our country. But Republicans are determined to inflict their culture war on my brothers and sisters in arms.

I'm proud of my service. I'm proud that the military is (currently) a place open to all people who love this country. It is BECAUSE of that openness that our country is safer. I won't sit by while Republicans threaten that.

On this anniversary, I want to thank my fellow veterans who have served and those currently serving. I want to encourage young people who like me are looking for opportunity or structure to consider service – regardless of your identity or background. And I want to ask everyone reading this to commit to protecting our freedoms here at home that I risked my life for – particularly at the ballot box in November.

Thanks for being in this fight with me as my co-pilot,

Ashley 🚁