WEST POINT – “We’ve come a long way, but we haven’t come far enough,” was the message from Ann Dunwoody, the first woman to earn the rank of four-star general in the US Army.
The retired officer addressed the three-day event at the Academy, commemorating the 40th anniversary of the admittance of women.
“I’m so proud of you because you made believers out of non-believers, and it was you that opened up and walked through a previously closed door, providing the gift of opportunity for so many others,” Dunwoody told the female alumni.
Gen. Dunwoody (Ret) is the first woman to earn the rank
of four-star general
Cadet panel discussed experiences of women assimilating
into the Corps of Cadets
The alumni event, which was hosted by the United States Military Academy, and organized by the Association of Graduates’ Athena’s Arena: Women Strong, Commemorating 40 Years of Women at the United States Military Academy, highlighted the historic day on July 1, 1976 when 119 women reported for Reception Day, and four years later, 62 of them graduated as members of the Class of 1980. They were commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. Many attended the conference.
A cadet panel on Friday, part of the anniversary commemoration, was asked how the older women cadets, who were among the first female classes to graduate West Point, could help the current female cadets. They answered that with women only recently being able to serve in combat roles, hearing about “the challenges that the early female cadets faced, and exchanging shared experiences,” would help them become better leaders.
The unique gathering of more than 500 West Point alumni, Army leaders, cadets, staff, faculty and distinguished guests participated in briefings, panels and discussions, highlighting and celebrating the achievements of USMA’s women graduates, examining lessons learned, and exploring future challenges and opportunities for women at West Point, in today’s Army, and in the future.
