Close friend of mine, a MAGA Hispanic woman, related to me how offended she was when a co-worker told her she was a cinch to get a promotion because “You’re a two-fer” (i.e., female and Hispanic, ignoring that my friend was dedicated, highly skilled, and a conscientious hard worker).
A former Platoon Sergeant of mine from Jamaica, told us other Sergeants that he knew the reason he made E-7 so fast was because he was black and from Jamaica. Don’t get me wrong, the guy was on it, but the speed he advanced was due to his minority and immigrant status.
Basically, I am saying that your friend has no right to be offended when that’s how it works. Her being on top of things helps her do better, but the fact is that any non-white, non-male, non-homosexual, all hurt your advancement in many fields.
My former boss was like that. He was Vietnamese-born, became an American Citizen, served in the Marines. He would have slapped us upside the heads if we'd suggested he got any job through preferences. He earned his promotions. One of the smartest and quickest guys I know in my field. His leaving for greener pastures left a hole we can just barely begin to fill.