WELCOME TO THE MOVEMENT
White Lace &
Combat Boots
Born from lived experience and a deep sense of mission, this platform exists to amplify the voices of those advocating for gender equality and equity—especially within the military community, where tradition too often overshadows progress. As a legislative and policy advocate, Sam uses White Lace & Combat Boots to challenge outdated systems and push for policy change that reflects the realities of modern families, servicewomen, and caregivers.
This work is personal. She fights for policies that support women and men across every phase of life and parenthood, that uplift co-parenting, and that empower families—not just to survive, but to thrive.
Whether through storytelling, public speaking, or behind-the-scenes policy work, the mission is clear: to challenge outdated systems, build a more inclusive future, and connect with others who believe that equality and equity isn't just a goal—it's a necessity.
Whether you're here to learn, connect, or be moved to act and if you believe in the power of advocacy, authenticity, and collective action—you belong here.
Why White Lace & Combat Boots?
The name White Lace & Combat Boots was born from the intersection of identity, service, and purpose. White Lace pays tribute to the iconic lace collar worn by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg—a symbol of her unwavering pursuit of gender equality, even as she balanced roles as a spouse and mother. Combat Boots represents Sam’s journey as a military service member, walking the path of duty, grit, and sacrifice. Together, these two powerful symbols reflect the convergence of law, military service, motherhood, and the ongoing fight for equity for women. White Lace & Combat Boots is more than a name—it’s a movement grounded in legacy and driven by purpose.
Founder
Samantha Sliney
is a nationally recognized attorney, advocate, and public policy leader with over a decade of experience navigating the intersections of military service, law, and legislative and policy reform. She currently serves as the Southeast Regional Liaison for the Department of Defense-State Liaison Office, where she leads DoD engagement with state executive, legislative and executive branches across seven states on issues impacting the readiness of service members and their families.
A former active-duty Judge Advocate in the U.S. Air Force, Sam now serves in the New Jersey Air National Guard as a defense counsel. She is the former Chair of the Department of the Air Force Women’s Initiatives Team, where she led more than 600 service members and civilians across 52 lines of effort to identify and eliminate barriers impacting women’s service. Under her leadership, the team drove major policy and legislative reforms addressing childcare, healthcare access, lactation support, and family readiness—many of which have been adopted by the Department of Defense and Congress.
Sam also serves on the boards of several nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing equity, family readiness, and professional mobility. She is the current Director of State Licensing for the Military Spouse J.D. Network, where she leads national advocacy efforts to expand attorney licensing reciprocity for military spouses. She also serves on the board of the Military Birth Resource Network and Postpartum Coalition, where she champions policy reforms to improve maternal healthcare access and support for military families.
Sam is a published children’s book author. Her debut book, All The Things Our Mommy Can Do, celebrates the strength and capability of working mothers and challenges stereotypes about gender roles and parenthood. Her second book, All The Things Our Daddy Can Do, launched in August 2025. It challenges traditional gender roles in parenting and highlights the invaluable role dads play in raising their children.
She holds a Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law, a Master of Laws in Homeland and National Security Law from Thomas M. Cooley School of Law, and a B.A. in Mass Communications and Journalism from Methodist University. She is licensed to practice law in Florida, North Carolina (via the military spouse reciprocity process), and the District of Columbia. She has also been honored with multiple national awards, including the American Bar Association Top 40 Young Lawyers and the National Association of Women Attorneys Rising List twice.
A Florida native and spouse to an Army Special Forces Sergeant Major, Sam resides at Fort Bragg with their four children. She brings lived experience, legal expertise, and government affairs acumen to every stage she takes and every barrier she tackles.
