How do you view Tailhooks significance — at that moment in time — for the Navy?
BAXTER: It was the moment…..I have to think of the right metaphor. It was, that was the moment things came to a head in the military. A lot of things were happening that were squashed, were squelched, kept quiet. And when Paula Coughlin went forward, that was like breaking a dam. And it all just comes flooding out. There was a lot of pressure to keep quiet about things that would happen. Most women I knew could tell you horror stories. I can tell horror stories. But there was a lot of pressure to keep your mouth shut, especially if you wanted to keep your career. You were damned if you do, and damned if you don’t, if you went forward with anything or pushed anything. When Paula went forward, went to the press, the dam broke, and that’s when a lot of women found the courage to go the other direction– including myself. Q: When was your moment? I mean, did you read about it, did you hear about Paula Coughlin? Did you say, I gotta do it, did you anguish about it? BAXTER: I anguished abo
