In 1942 Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was established. This was during World War II when women first started joining the military and armed forces. In 1976 women were allowed into Army West Point. They were outnumbered by men then and even now, in 2025 the military is a widely male dominated field. A few more male dominated fields are law enforcement, engineering, firefighting, finance and more. The issue isn’t that women are not in these fields, it’s that they have the same job as a man and don’t obtain the same benefits.
Many companies have scaled back programs meant to advance women. While more women face discrimination in the workplace fewer companies are doing anything about it. Most of the time men think that women’s opportunities have improved, but much to their dismay, there has not been a huge change over the past decade. Opportunities for women are meant to be provided but management are not always enforcing it, therefore making it very difficult.
I will provide some statistics to show the percentage of women that make up military roles in the United States today.
Army: 19.1% Navy: 21.3%. Marine Corps: 10.2%. Air Force: 24.1%
Women in the military not only have to work hard for their jobs, but they also have to work hard to break down gender barriers. I interviewed a senior, Maura Rigley ‘25 who will be attending Army West Point next year, to get her thoughts on entering such a male dominated field. This fall, Maura will become the first woman from Maryvale to ever attend the United States military academy. Since Maura is a 7 year Maryvale student she has been at an all girls school for quite some time, I was interested in hearing how switching to an all girls school to a mostly male school would affect her. She said “While there may be moments where I have to prove myself in ways my male peers might not, I see that as fuel to push even harder and break down stereotypes. The unique perspective I bring, shaped by years of empowerment and sisterhood, will not only serve me well at West Point but also in the profession I’m preparing to enter, where diverse leadership is more necessary than ever.” Maura is feeling confident that she will be able to use the skills she has learned from Maryvale and her Maryvale sisters to help her overcome these struggles.
The application process for Army West Point is different from other schools, it is very intense and competitive. Maura said that there were times during the application process where she doubted herself, and questioned if she was cut out for this. The moment she realized she was cut out for it was “during a nomination interview in front of a congressional panel where I was the only woman among 15 male candidates. Rather than feeling out of place or discouraged, I felt a deep sense of empowerment. That moment reminded me of why I’m pursuing this path—to challenge norms, to represent, and to break through barriers. Being the only woman in that room didn’t make me feel small; it made me feel powerful, and more determined to succeed not just for myself, but for every girl watching and dreaming of doing the same.” Along with the application process, comes actually getting in and going. When Maura tells people she will be attending Army West Point she is met with these reactions, surprised, confused and admiring. People are shocked to hear about a woman willing to enter such a male centered battlefield. She said that she thinks she gets these reactions because she is a woman. She states “If I were a man, the choice might be seen as more natural or expected. But that’s exactly why I’m doing it—to challenge those assumptions and show that women not only belong at West Point, but can thrive there.” Maura is trying to push the boundaries that society has set for women.
Maura is one of many pushing the limits that society has put on women. Every day women struggle in the workplace due to many different issues. From the wage gap, to mistreatment by higher authorities, women are trying to shape the future to be better. Women are able to do things now that they would have only been able to dream of 50 years ago. This is what Maura Rigley has to say about entering one of the most male dominated fields. “I find it incredibly empowering to be entering a male-dominated profession, because it allows me to challenge outdated perceptions and pave the way for future women in similar roles. Knowing that I am capable both physically and intellectually gives me the confidence to hold my own in environments that may not have always welcomed women. It’s not about proving others wrong—it’s about proving to myself, and other young women watching, that we belong in these spaces just as much as anyone else. There’s a strong sense of pride that comes with walking into rooms where people might underestimate you and showing them what strength, discipline, and intelligence truly look like. That sense of purpose is what fuels me.” Women will continue to keep their heads high and fight for equality in the workplace.
