Lebanese-American Lt. Maysaa Ouza is making history as the first lawyer to wear a hijab as part of the Air Force’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps program.
Lt. Ouza was recently granted a religious accommodation allowing her to wear a hijab during training and in her role as chief of legal advice at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.
The daughter of Lebanese immigrants, Ouza said she chose to pursue a career with the U.S. Air Force because of the public service opportunities. She also wanted to break down barriers.
“Many people that look like me fear rejection, and thus will not apply for jobs like this,” said Ouza. “My hijab is an asset to the Air Force, not a liability.”
Ouza, who graduated from the University of Toledo College of Law, knew that her hijab may impact her application into the Air Force.
After being accepted into the highly-competitive JAG Corps program, she was told she could only request a religious accommodation after committing years of her life to military service.
Air Force officials said she would have to remove her hijab and begin basic training without the head covering.
The American Civil Liberties Union and her attorneys sent a letter to the Air Force on behalf of Ouza urging officials to reconsider the policy.
The Air Force then reversed their decision and allowed Ouza to join JAG Corps with the religious accommodation.
Ouza will attend further training in Alabama in July, and will be promoted to captain upon graduation in September.