THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 14, 1995 TAG: 9507140007
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 48 lines
Regarding ``Keep VMI all male'' (letter, June 16): The writer states that she ``cannot count the number of times people . . . have told me about (the) high standards and work ethic'' of VMI alumni. She then goes on to outline why, in her opinion, the presence of women ``would bring about a severe loss of faith and strengths in a fellow cadet.'' Since there are at present no female cadets, she is not speaking from personal experience. While her statements may indeed have some basis, she is nonetheless not qualified to make this allegation.
The writer further states that ``We MBC women who want to participate in the Women's Institute for Leadership Program do so because we do not want to attend VMI'' (her italics). Fine, but she should not presume to make that choice for other women.
The writer also states, ``We want to have a military education but do not want to attend a military school.'' I had to laugh at the sheer absurdity of this statement. If you don't attend a military school, you won't have a military education. You may receive military-oriented instruction, with an emphasis on leadership; it is not the same thing. Nothing like coming right out and stating that you want to have your cake and eat it, too.
She writes: ``If a woman wants the VMI experience, she should marry a VMI man.'' If the writer is content to gain her experiences second-hand by shining in the reflected glory of the men in her life, fine. But, again, she shouldn't presume to make that choice for courageous, hard-working and adventurous women who seek their own identity.
Shannon Faulkner and all the fine women who will join her will face one of the toughest tests of their lives when they become Citadel or VMI cadets. There will be many who will hope for their failure and do whatever they can to ensure it in order to preserve the ``good old boys''' club of VMI. These women deserve our respect and support.
Was anyone paying attention recently when a woman graduated first in her class at the U.S. Army Military Academy at West Point?
How many times do we have to prove that ``separate but equal'' is not equal?
PAT LITTLE
Norfolk, June 19, 1995 by CNB