My Lioness
Story

Lioness Marines: My Story

The Lioness Team was the first organized effort to attach women to American infantry units. Lionesses served outside the wire alongside infantry Marines during searches, checkpoints, raids, and missions in dangerous areas such as Haditha, Iraq—even while official policy still excluded women from direct ground-combat assignments.

I served as a Marine Lioness and became part of that groundbreaking history. At a time when many people still believed women did not belong in combat, Lionesses stepped forward, faced the danger, and helped accomplish the mission. Their service deserves to be remembered, and I want to help preserve that story.

When you are living through history, it does not always feel historic. It simply feels like the way things are. I knew the restrictions were unfair, but I did not fully understand then that we were helping change the way women would serve in the military.

Courage Finds Calm

Courage has always been a part of who I am. In college, especially when I struggled with English, I believed that if I gave more of myself, I could make things happen. That courage helped me overcome many challenges, but it also became a weakness when I tried too hard to control every outcome. I eventually had to learn that courage does not always mean pushing hard.

Rabbits have helped me discover calmness because they cannot be rushed or controlled. As prey animals, they are sensitive to anxiety, raised voices, and sudden movements. Training them requires quiet, patience, and a willingness to let trust develop in its own time. They have taught me to slow down, let go, and create a peaceful place where both their personalities and mine can grow.

Sarah Johnson · Powell, Wyoming

I’m Sarah Johnson of Powell, Wyoming, a Marine Corps veteran who served on a Lioness team and the founder of Heart Hopper Giants LLC. I’m an American Rabbit Breeders Association member, and Heart Hopper Giants is an ARBA-registered rabbitry.

I am building a responsible breeding program focused on large, purebred Flemish Giants and French Lops. Our primary purpose is to raise healthy, well-socialized rabbits that can become cherished family pets. We also breed toward the Flemish Giant and French Lop standards so that families interested in 4-H may have access to show-quality rabbits when available.

Our breeding program and event policy

Our breeding program is planned around our waiting list, with health, temperament, and suitable homes guiding each litter. We do not breed rabbits for event sales. Live rabbits are not sold at events; our bunny appearances are for supervised interaction, education, and photo opportunities. Contact Sarah to join the waiting list for a future rabbit.