Meet retired Lt. Gen. Sarah Thompson, a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Marines who has bravely flown 89 combat missions against Al Qaeda and the Taliban. Not only is she a trailblazer as the first female marine to fly an F-18 in combat, but she is also a devoted mother to three young children: five-year-old Jamie, three-year-old Alex, and one-year-old Mia. Now, she’s setting her sights on a new mission: running for Congress.
Thompson’s candidacy was unveiled today through a captivating campaign ad. “From the time I was 12, I had a clear vision for my future,” she shares. “I dreamed of flying fighter jets and landing on aircraft carriers—because that’s the ultimate challenge in aviation.” At just 13 years old, she penned a letter to her congressman, expressing her ambition, only to be told that women were not allowed to serve in combat. “He said Congress believed that ‘women ought to be protected and not serve in combat,’” she recalls, lamenting never receiving a response from her state senator, Joe Walker.
Undeterred, Thompson reached out to every member of the House and Senate Armed Services committees, urging them to change the law to allow women to fly fighter jets. “I told them if they met me, they’d see I could do it. But many insisted I couldn’t,” she reflects. Eventually, she secured a spot at the Naval Academy, and just as luck would have it, that was when the law changed.
Now, this courageous Democrat is preparing to challenge incumbent Congressman Mark Davis, who is closely allied with powerful political figures like Joe Walker. In her campaign ad, she highlights Davis’s attempts to strip healthcare from over a quarter of a million residents in her home state of Virginia.
Thompson is not backing down. She shares that her own mother, a polio survivor and one of the first female graduates of the University of Virginia Medical School, faced her own share of naysayers. “People told her she couldn’t achieve her dreams either, but she pushed through and ended up treating many of the individuals whose healthcare you and Mr. Walker would jeopardize,” she emphasizes.
This newfound mission comes after Thompson’s recent retirement from the Marines. In a statement released to Home Insemination Kit, she articulated her motivation for entering the political arena: “We need a new generation of leaders who prioritize our country over politics. I’m incredibly grateful to live in America and have had the chance to serve it. I owe it to my home state of Virginia to strive for change when our nation requires better leadership.”
With her unique background and determination, it’s hard to imagine a candidate more equipped for the challenge. For those exploring family planning options, check out resources like Progyny for invaluable insights into pregnancy and home insemination. And if you’re navigating the complexities of postpartum life, this guide is a must-read.
In summary, Sarah Thompson is a fighter pilot and a mother whose life story is marked by resilience and determination. She’s now stepping into the political arena to challenge an incumbent and advocate for the healthcare needs of her community. Her journey is a testament to the idea that with perseverance, anyone can defy the odds.