By Felicia R. Lee, New York TimesAfter Shannon Morgan returned from serving in Iraq, the memories of killing and carnage continued to haunt her, memories that some told her were unexpected for a female soldier.
Department of Defense policy bars female soldiers from direct ground combat, but for Ms. Morgan, like the four other female soldiers profiled in the documentary “Lioness,” that regulation meant little in the heat of battle. Attached to all-male combat units in the Army and the Marines as part of the Lioness program, the female troops were used to search Muslim women as needed and to defuse the cultural tensions caused by strange men interacting with Iraqi women. But when fighting broke out, the female soldiers fought back.
Read the full New York Times story HERE.
Lioness airs Thursday, November 13 at 9 p.m. on WGVU HD and Sunday, November 16 at 10:30 p.m. and Friday, December 12 at 10 p.m. on WGVU TV.
Reactions to Lioness from WGVU's Independent Cinema screening:
“Excellent look into the real war and what it actually means from people, removed from politics.”
- Ryan
“Eye opening, very well made”
- Heather, Sparta
“A well made, powerful documentary detailing the lives of these historical women, who fought for their country and against gender roles.”
- anonymous, Allendale
“Excellent film – very moving”
- Tom, Grand Rapids
“Great to get other perspectives and even the controversy that is a necessary part of our democratic culture.”
- Jim, Grand Rapids
“This film was eye opening and scary… we do not usually see that kind of footage in American media.”
- anonymous, Allendale
“It brought back many memories. Kind of hard to deal with. But it’s the reality.”
- anonymous, Kentwood
“Very accurate, detailed and informative. Brought back many emotions.”
- anonymous, Comstock Park
For upcoming Independent Cinema screenings, click HERE.
