Purple Heart Winner to Give Opening Keynote at AFLA

Mary "MJ" Jennings Hegar, a former U.S. Air Force pilot who ran for U.S. Congress in Texas, will give the opening keynote address at the Automotive Fleet Leasing Association's 2019 conference in September.

Hegar's campaign and the viral "Doors" video that accompanied it "struck a meaningful chord across the nation," according to the association.

Hegar earned the Purple Heart and a Distinguished Flying Cross With Valor for her service in Afghanistan. While flying a mission during her third tour, Hegar was shot, when a bullet pierced her helicopter's windshield. She flew her crew to safety and conducted a nearly impossible landing.

When her injuries kept her from returning to service, she fought a policy that excluded women.

In July 2017, she began her campaign for the 31st congressional district. After earning the Democratic nomination, she lost by 3% to incumbent Republican John Carter. On April 23, she announced she would run against U.S. Senator John Cornyn.

AFLA's 2019 conference has been scheduled for Sept. 16 to 18 at the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa at 8000 Arizona Grand Pkwy in Phoenix.