Strength Under Fire

Women in Military Combat
Season 14
• March 15, 2026

The Talk

Amy McGrath is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel, combat aviator, and public servant. Born in Cincinnati and raised in Kentucky, she dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot from a young age—so much so that she wrote to members of Congress advocating for women in combat aviation. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1997 with a degree in political science, she went on to become the first woman to fly a combat mission in the F/A-18 for the Marines. Over her 20-year military career, she flew 89 combat missions and held roles in strategic policy and congressional affairs. McGrath also earned advanced degrees from Georgetown University and Johns Hopkins University. Since retiring, she has focused on civic leadership and public engagement, including a high-profile run for U.S. Senate in 2020.

Categories

MilitaryPoliticsGovernment

The Speaker

Amy McGrath
Retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel, combat aviator, and public servant.

At a Glance

Honors

Amy McGrath is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel, combat aviator, and public servant. Born in Cincinnati and raised in Kentucky, she dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot from a young age—so much so that she wrote to members of Congress advocating for women in combat aviation. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1997 with a degree in political science, she went on to become the first woman to fly a combat mission in the F/A-18 for the Marines. Over her 20-year military career, she flew 89 combat missions and held roles in strategic policy and congressional affairs. McGrath also earned advanced degrees from Georgetown University and Johns Hopkins University. Since retiring, she has focused on civic leadership and public engagement, including a high-profile run for U.S. Senate in 2020.

Event Details

Date

March 15, 2026

Time

4:00pm

Venue

Fort Hill Performing Arts Center

Moderator

Michael O'Hanlon

Michael O’Hanlon is a Canandaigua native and the inaugural holder of the Philip H. Knight Chair in Defense and Strategy and director of research in the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution. He specializes in U.S. defense strategy and budgets, the use of military force, and American national security policy.  He is a long time supporter of the Ewing Forum and has served over the years as both a speaker and a moderator on numerous occasions.  Michael is a member of the Ewing Forum Community Advisory Council.

 

FAQ

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Yes.

Guests may connect to the hearing assistance system using their Bluetooth-enabled hearing
devices. Please bring your smartphone or compatible controller.

Neck loops are also available at the Box Office for guests who prefer not to use Bluetooth.

Yes. The Fort Hill Performing Arts Center is fully ADA accessible.
Accessibility features include:

  • Six wheelchair seating locations with companion seating
  • Three transfer seats with lift-up armrests
  • Six accessible parking spaces near the wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Elevator access to all public floors

If you need wheelchair seating, in advance, please notify the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center at
585-412-6043 or info@fhpac.org; or notify the Ewing Forum in advance by email at
info@gmeforum.org or text or call 585-313-8443.

Please note that accessible seating is not available in the mezzanine.

Free parking is available at:

  • Fort Hill Performing Arts Center
  • Fort Hill Avenue
  • Main Street

 

Parking attendants will be on site to direct you.

All Ewing Forum events are held at:

Fort Hill Performing Arts Center
120 Fort Hill Avenue
Canandaigua, NY 14424

Yes. All seating is reserved.

Friends of the Forum receive priority seating. If you purchase tickets through the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center, you may select your seats during the online purchase process, subject to availability.

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Tickets are available by clicking “buy tickets” on the Forum website or through the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center Box Office at 585-412-6043; or online at https://forthillpac.com.

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