Woman Responds to Misogynistic Note Saying She Shouldn’t Park in Veteran Only Spots

Parking, especially on hot, summer days, can be the bane of anyone’s existence. When you drive by those blue stalls marked “handicapped,” it can take a lot of willpower not to park in one anyway.

However, while many incidents circle the web of people being shamed for parking in handicapped spots because their disability can’t be seen, this might be the first time someone was shamed for using a designated spot because she was a woman.

Rebecca Landis Hayes used the “veterans only” parking spot in front of grocery store Harris Teeter. Upon her return to her car, she noticed a scathing note, saying, “This parking is for veterans, lady. Learn to read & have some respect.”

Obviously, Hayes had some words of her own to say to the ignorant loaf.

She writes:

“To the person who left this note on my windshield today at the Coddle Creek Harris Teeter in Concord, NC:

“I know I parked in one of the Veteran Parking spaces today, it was hot. I had been in and out of my car several times already this afternoon, and I was only going to be a minute. Besides, the parking lot was full, so I just did it. It was the first time, and I won’t do it again. I’m sorry…

“I’m sorry that you can’t see my eight years of service in the United Sates Navy. I’m sorry that your narrow misogynistic world view can’t conceive of the fact that there are female Veterans. I’m sorry that I have to explain myself to people like you. Mostly, I’m sorry that we didn’t get a chance to have this conversation face to face, and that you didn’t have the integrity and intestinal fortitude to identify yourself, qualities the military emphasizes.

“Which leads to one question, I served, did you?”

Her post has been shared over 2,000 times, with much support from commenters.

Even Harris Teeter reached out to Hayes to offer an apology.

The lesson? Keep an open mind.