Via U.S. Air Force
However you feel about the military, seeing these incredibly powerful women graduating from the most prestigious military academy in the world is inspiring for what they’ve had to overcome just to get there.
"I did not feel like I belonged here because there were several people around me saying I wasn't good enough," remarked one of the graduates, Isabella Minter.
"Either way, I crowded out the noise and stayed the course."
Could having more Black women leadership in our armed forces be a turning point for America’s military? Back in 2014, the U.S. Army was criticized for its hairstyle regulations, which banned many natural Black hairstyles. The policy was updated in 2017 to be more inclusive.
The armed forces have long been criticized for its gross handling of sexual assault and rape of women soldiers. A recent exposé in the Navy showed that male sailors had even created “rape lists” for women sailors.
West Point has been focusing on increasing diversity in recent years, including promoting Simone Askew to First Captain in 2017.
The 2019 graduating class features 27 Black women, as well as 19 Latina women, both the highest numbers since 1976, when women were first allowed to attend.
More Black women leadership in the military can only be a good thing. We celebrate these amazing women for what they’ve accomplished!