Special Report:
Recently, I had the privilege of interviewing select members of the Angel Corps. We spoke about many things; however, I found a certain recruit’s views about equality and reasoning for becoming part of the Angel Corps particularly interesting. She wishes to remain anonymous but here is what one of the Private’s told us:
“I originally had heard about Angel Corps through rumours in school. It was a very controversial topic at the time so teachers did not like us to talk about it. There was one girl in my class whose Aunt was in the Corps. A lot of the boys and girls would tease her for it, calling her names and saying horrible things like ‘I bet you’ll turn out aggressive just like your Aunt and the other Angels’.
I think that there was and still is a lack of understanding about the Corps in many ways and quite frankly I think that it boils down to the lack of communication and/or miscommunication about them. I believe that a lot of children’s opinions are very much influenced by their parents’ views of the group.
I knew that I wanted to join the Angel’s when I made friends with Marcy (the girl whose Aunt was in the Corps). She would pass on so many wonderful stories to me that her Aunt had told her – I remember one where her Aunt had gone to France to assist in the Seventh and Final Coalition of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815. Unfortunately, I don’t remember much about her mission, but I do remember that – although she was there strictly on business – she somehow managed to fall in love with the owner of a small restaurant in Paris which her and her Squadron had visited while off duty. Once the war was over, she decided to take an early retirement and opt out of the force so that she could stay in France with her soulmate.
I know what you’re thinking, what has this got to do with the Angel Corps? But although it may not seem relevant, it’s stories like these that give me hope that there’s something better on the other side for people – and this is why I am part of the Angel Corps now and why I am fighting for a better future for all. As part of the Angel Corps I am willing to fight at no limits: I believe that young girls deserve a good role model and I believe that our aims and actions are making a start to proving what women are truly capable of and that all in all we are completely equivalent to men.
I hope that when we arrive in Kendal, despite the split views that are coming from locals, we will influence the young women (and everyone else) into creating a safer and fairer environment to live in as that is our main goal partially because Kendal will become our home base, meaning we will soon be joined as part of the community ourselves.”
I found this story to be refreshing and a real eye opener as to why some young women are fighting as part of the Corps. It’s not all about feminism and politics; but also comes down to simply wanting a better life and future for our youth. I’m thankful to have such generous and brave women fighting for our country, and believe that you should be too – but who’s to say they are all as kind as this, and that all women have the same morals…