West Point's First Female Cadets Thrived in the Face of Adversity

On July 7, 1976, 119 women joined the Corps of Cadets establishing the first class of women in the United States Military Academy at West Point. From the article:

"When asked what it was like to be a member of the first class of women at West Point, my standard response is, “It was good for me.”

As cadets, we ladies sure had our share of hard-earned lessons that weren’t necessarily enjoyable. However, these hardships provided no clue to my future—serving 34 years in uniform, reaching the rank of colonel, and having the privilege to command four times, including in Iraq.

My father, Bennett Lewis, retired as a lieutenant general after a 40-year career. Dad enlisted during World War II, graduated from West Point in 1950 as an engineer, and saw combat in Korea and Vietnam. As you might guess, my mom, Malvene, and my dad instilled in my two brothers and me a love of our country and an appreciation for the service and sacrifices needed to keep our nation free.

As a military brat, I moved around a lot and spent a good deal of time participating in swimming and horseback riding competitions. Doing well in high school and considering military service, I decided to apply for an ROTC scholarship my senior year of high school. Unexpectedly, Congress changed the law to admit women to the military academies. Friends and family encouraged me to apply to West Point.

Hostility—in many forms—greeted the first women in 174 years to join the all-male Corps of Cadets when we arrived in 1976. Ultimately, 62 of my 119 sisters graduated four years later in 1980."