Women have definitely made their marks in history in various aspects, including the military. One woman has made herself an icon after being hailed as the first ever female 4-star general when she achieved her four-star officer rank on November 14, 2008 at a promotion ceremony held at the Pentagon.
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This amazing woman is none other than Retired Army Gen. Ann Dunwoody who was given the Thayer award on October 10 as a tribute to her achievements in the military. The award was presented by West Pointโs Association of Graduates. Some of the noted recipients of this award were Bob Hope, Tom Brokaw, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Robert Mueller. This award is given to military officials whose service is in the national interest and represents the academyโs motto โDuty, Honor, Country.โ
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Gen. Dunwoody served as an Army officer for a total of 38 years. She was once the person in charge for the largest global logistics command center in the Army, the Army Materiel Command. In 2012, Gen. Dunwood retired with four stars on her shoulders and was the first woman in history to have achieved said rank.
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Coming from a military family, Gen. Dunwoody shared in an interview with the Military Logistics Forum that they have four generations of West Pointers in their family tree.
โI grew up in the Army and came from a family who, since 1862, has defended our nation,โ she said. โMy great grandfather, my grandfather, my father, my brother, my sister, my niece, and my husband are all veterans of this countryโs wars. My father is a veteran of three wars and is one of the 25 million veterans living today who served the nation with such incredible courage.โ
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Although Gen. Dunwoody was looked up to as a role model not only for young women but for everyone in the military, she shared that she never planned on staying in the Army for too long. However, fate had other plans for this iconic woman.
โWhile I joined the Army right out of college, I planned to only stay in the Army to complete my two-year commitment, but it wasnโt too long before I realized that there are no other shoes [boots] I would rather fill than the ones I am wearing right now. As a soldier, you can continually serve. It is a calling to be a soldier and there is a great sense of pride and camaraderie in serving the greatest Army in the world.โ
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Most people would be curious as to how a woman could possibly achieve a four-star rank in a field that is mostly dominated by men. Gen. Dunwoody has this to share through an interview with Army Times:
โIn the military, I had advocates, then there were detractors. They just donโt like you, maybe they think itโs a manโs Army and women donโt belong here. The key is how you deal with people. You donโt stoop to name-calling. You be professional, demonstrate youโre capable and sometimes you convert people. In the military, people want the best leader on the team. They want the best, and we have a profession thatโs looking for and rewards that kind of behavior.โ
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This woman is an absolutely inspiring role model that we could all learn from. She is a strong woman who has shown that you can do anything that you put your mind, heart and soul into. Sheโs one great American icon that we should definitely be proud of!
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