Combat Rescue Pilot MJ Hegar Shoots Like a Girl and Fights for Women in Ground Combat
- S3E20
- 52:38
- February 4th 2025
In this episode of the Military Aviatrix podcast, host Liz Booker welcomes author Mary Jennings Hager to discuss her powerful memoir, 'Shoot Like a Girl: One Woman's Dramatic Fight in Afghanistan and on the Home Front.' Mary shares her inspiring journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Air Force, detailing her experiences in combat, the fight for women’s roles in the military, and the importance of storytelling in healing. Tune in for an enlightening conversation about resilience, courage, and the transformative power of sharing our stories.
Military Aviatrix
Military Aviatrix is a bold and uplifting podcast celebrating the extraordinary women of military aviation, past, present, and future. Hosted by Liz Booker, in collaboration with Literary Aviatrix, this series takes flight through powerful stories that illuminate the courage, resilience, and determination it takes to soar in a male-dominated field.
Each episode features inspiring conversations with women who have faced down adversity in pursuit of their wings; sharing lessons learned in the cockpit, on the battlefield, and beyond. You’ll hear from trailblazing aviators, rising stars, and the historians who help us honor the legacy of those who paved the way.
More than just a collection of stories, Military Aviatrix is a mission to open minds and ignite dreams. Whether you’re a young woman dreaming of flight, a seasoned pilot, or someone who believes in the power of representation and perseverance, this podcast offers fuel for your journey.
Plug in. Take off. And be inspired to rise.
Because every woman who flies writes a new chapter in history.
Meet the Host
Liz Booker transitioned to full-time writer in 2019 after a 28-year career as a Coast Guard helicopter pilot and foreign diplomat. She holds a Master in Public Administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, and a Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She continues to fly, pursuing an extensive aviation bucket-list—a.k.a. ‘research’.