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Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace is facing ridicule after referring to her achievement as the first woman to graduate from The Citadel while simultaneously criticizing transgender individuals.
In a post on X, Mace declared, “I didn’t fight like hell to become the first woman to graduate from The Citadel just for some man in a miniskirt to take away that achievement,” adding that women’s accomplishments hold personal significance for her.
Last November, Mace proposed legislation prohibiting transgender individuals from using restrooms that align with their gender identity in federally owned properties. She justified the bill as a matter of safety, a response initiated after Delaware Democrat Sarah McBride made history as the first openly transgender member of Congress. This initiative was set to impact D.C.’s libraries, recreational centers, and even public schools.
During her tenure, and echoing sentiments from figures such as former President Donald Trump, Republicans have taken a strong stance against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, pushing to dismantle these frameworks within the federal landscape.
As Mace’s comments gained traction online, drawing close to six million views, many pointed out the apparent contradiction of her stance given her own history with DEI policies.
One user on X noted, “A reminder that Nancy Mace was a DEI admission. The courts ruled that The Citadel couldn’t exclude women from attending under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.”
Despite her claims of accomplishment, critics argued that Mace’s path to The Citadel was facilitated by legal rulings aimed at fostering inclusion.
Another commentator suggested, “You listen to yourself talk? Forced your way into an all-male school. Is that an accomplishment? You didn’t go there because you were qualified; you sued them.”
Right-wing commentator Matt Walsh remarked, “The girlboss feminism routine isn’t just cringy. It also directly undermines our argument.” He noted that The Citadel, which historically admitted only men, was compelled to open its doors to women due to legal mandates for diversity and inclusion—not unlike the arguments posited by trans advocates regarding gender-specific spaces.
John Daniel Davidson of The Federalist criticized Mace’s self-portrayal as lacking awareness, stating that the disruption of sex-segregated spaces affects society as a whole. “Maybe Mace should have thought about that before she destroyed the male-only Citadel,” he asserted.
Further commentary on social media echoed this sentiment, with one user stating, “The ‘man in the miniskirt’ invading female-only spaces is exactly what you did to male-only spaces at the Citadel.”
As discussions unfolded, many labeled Mace a ‘DEI admission’ given that the military academy was male-only until the 1990s.
Mark Hemingway argued that Mace’s achievement ultimately harmed the institution’s legacy, suggesting, “This wasn’t an ‘accomplishment’—it damaged a proud historical institution. The Citadel, like all military academies, should have remained men only.”
Conversely, Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Corey Ryan Forrester expressed support for The Citadel’s changes, commenting, “I for one applaud The Citadel for being woke.”
Former congressional candidate Randy Bryce also criticized Mace, remarking, “It’s called DEI as to why you were admitted.”
Mace addressed the 2024 graduation ceremony at The Citadel, marking 25 years since her historic graduation in 1999. During her speech, she encouraged female graduates to break glass ceilings and pave the way for future generations.
Mace emphasized, “As women, we hear a great deal about glass ceilings. But glass is meant to be broken. So, shatter it to pieces.” She urged them to use their power responsibly and to assist those who follow in their footsteps.
Source
www.yahoo.com