29: The Lady Hell Cats: How Women Fought Their Way Into the U.S. Military

From a Revolutionary War soldier forced to fight disguised as a man, to the first woman Marine in 1918, to modern combat veterans and political “Hell Cats” running for office, this episode explores how women challenged the status quo—and how those quiet rebellions still shape U.S. military policy, culture, and politics today.Ripples of Rebels is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.What this episode coversIn this episode, you’ll hear:* Women before the Lady Hell Cats* Loretta Perfectus Walsh and the first “official” woman in uniform* The Lady Hell Cats of the Marine Corps* From “temporary emergency” to permanent force* Women in Iraq and Afghanistan: combat before it was “allowed”* The fall of the Combat Exclusion Policy* What modern research says about women in the military* From barracks to ballots: today’s “Hell Cats” in politicsWays to support women who serveIf you’re moved by the stories in this episode, here are some organizations that specifically support women in the military and women veterans:* Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN)National advocacy and support network focused on policy reform, legal assistance, and research for servicewomen and women veterans.* Final Salute, Inc.Provides safe, suitable housing and supportive services for homeless women veterans and their children.* Foundation for Women WarriorsA long‑standing nonprofit that supports women veterans and their children through financial assistance, childcare support, professional development, and transition services.* Women Veterans Interactive Foundation (WVIF)Offers trauma‑informed, women‑centered programs addressing housing, mental health, employment, and leadership for women veterans.* Women Veterans Network (WoVeN)A peer‑support network connecting women veterans through local groups, shared storytelling, and community.Website: * Wounded Warrior Project – Women Warriors InitiativeFocuses on the unique needs of women warriors—healthcare, mental health, and transition—within the broader WWP mission.Overview: https://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/women-warriors-initiativeSharing their work, donating, or volunteering is one way to keep the ripples of these rebels moving forward.Citations & Further ReadingBelow are sources and references listeners can click through to explore the stories and research mentioned in the episode:Early women in war and Deborah Sampson* Deborah Sampson and women of the American Revolution:https://americasnationalparks.org/2025/05/05/deborah-sampson-and-women-of-the-american-revolution/* Women as camp followers, nurses, and spies in early American wars (historical overview):https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1049&context=history-in-the-makingLoretta Perfectus Walsh & early Navy women* Loretta Perfectus Walsh – first woman to enlist in the U.S. Navy:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loretta_Perfectus_Walsh* U.S. Navy Memorial profile on Loretta Walsh:https://navylog.navymemorial.org/walsh-lorettaLady Hell Cats and women Marines in World War I* “Lady Hell Cats: Women Marines in World War I” – National Women’s History Museum:https://www.womenshistory.org/articles/lady-hell-cats-women-marines-world-war-i* Opha May Johnson – first woman Marine (biographical overview):https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opha_May_Johnson* Opha May Johnson – First Woman Marine (USMC Museum PDF):https://usmcmuseum.com/uploads/6/0/3/6/60364049/opha_may_johnson.pdfWomen in combat, Iraq and Afghanistan* Honoring servicewomen killed or recognized in combat (including Leigh Ann Hester, Monica Lin Brown, Ashley White):https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/servicewomen-killed-in-combat/Combat Exclusion Policy & opening combat roles* Overview of the Combat Exclusion Policy and its repeal:https://www.aclu.org/combat-exclusion-policy-for-women* Background on the Combat Exclusion Policy and policy shift:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_Exclusion_Policy* Female fighter pilots and the combat exclusion:https://unwritten-record.blogs.archives.gov/2019/10/03/the-sky-no-longer-has-limits-female-fighter-pilots-and-the-combat-exclusion-policy/Modern research on gender integration & women’s impact* “Implications for Increasing Gender Integration in Recruit Training” (Military Medicine):https://academic.oup.com/milmed/article/189/Supplement_2/47/7699230* Study on evolving views of gender integration within the U.S. military:https://news.uci.edu/2024/12/05/study-sheds-light-on-evolving-views-of-gender-integration-within-the-u-s-military/Modern “Hell Cats” in politics* Coverage of women candidates adopting the “Hell Cats” identity to flip House seats:(Example Newsweek feature) https://www.newsweek.com/meet-hell-cats-veteran-democrats-11038968 Get full access to Ripples of Rebels at delaneyxclara.substack.com/subscribe