Donegal woman Karina Molloy is one of the most impressive women I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting. She marched into history as one of the first-ever female recruits to enter the Irish Army in 1981. Young, ambitious and naïve, she had no idea of the obstacles that would be hurled her way.
Despite the odds, Karina had an illustrious 31-year career in the Irish Defence Forces. She became the first female to get promoted to Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) rank in the Irish Defence Forces. She was also the first to attempt the Army Ranger Wing selection course – Ireland’s SAS equivalent. Karina also claims the most overseas service as a female Senior NCO, with a total of eleven tours of duty in five different mission areas under her belt.
However, during her pioneering and extraordinary career, she faced systematic misogyny and sexism within the institution and battled constant sexual harassment and routine bullying from male colleagues and superiors.
Karina persevered and through resilience and grit, she forged her own path in what was considered a man’s world. She shows the same dogged determination on her current mission where, as a founding member of the Women of Honour, she endeavours to make the Irish Army a safe and equitable place for new generations of women who wish to pursue a career in the army.
