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On July 7, 1976, 119 women joined the Corps of Cadets establishing the first class of women in the US Military Academy at West Point. From the article:
"Female cadets enrolled at West Point
For the first time in history, women are enrolled into the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. On May 28, 1980, 62 of these female cadets graduated and were commissioned as second lieutenants.
The United States Military Academy–the first military school in America–was founded by Congress in 1802 for the purpose of educating and training young men in the theory and practice of military science. Established at West Point, New York, the U.S. Military Academy is often simply known as West Point.
Located on the high west bank of New York’s Hudson River, West Point was the site of a Revolutionary-era fort built to protect the Hudson River Valley from British attack.
Ten years after the establishment of the U.S. Military Academy in 1802, the growing threat of another war with Great Britain resulted in Congressional action to expand the academy’s facilities and increase the West Point corps. Beginning in 1817, the U.S. Military Academy was reorganized by superintendent Sylvanus Thayer–later known as the “father of West Point”–and the school became one of the nation’s finest sources of civil engineers.
In 1877, Henry Ossian Flipper became the first African American graduate of the U.S. Military Academy. The academy is now under the general direction and supervision of the department of the U.S. Army and has an enrollment of more than 4,000 students."
"Female cadets enrolled at West Point
For the first time in history, women are enrolled into the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. On May 28, 1980, 62 of these female cadets graduated and were commissioned as second lieutenants.
The United States Military Academy–the first military school in America–was founded by Congress in 1802 for the purpose of educating and training young men in the theory and practice of military science. Established at West Point, New York, the U.S. Military Academy is often simply known as West Point.
Located on the high west bank of New York’s Hudson River, West Point was the site of a Revolutionary-era fort built to protect the Hudson River Valley from British attack.
Ten years after the establishment of the U.S. Military Academy in 1802, the growing threat of another war with Great Britain resulted in Congressional action to expand the academy’s facilities and increase the West Point corps. Beginning in 1817, the U.S. Military Academy was reorganized by superintendent Sylvanus Thayer–later known as the “father of West Point”–and the school became one of the nation’s finest sources of civil engineers.
In 1877, Henry Ossian Flipper became the first African American graduate of the U.S. Military Academy. The academy is now under the general direction and supervision of the department of the U.S. Army and has an enrollment of more than 4,000 students."
Female cadets enrolled at West Point
Posted from history.comPosted in these groups: United States Military Academy (USMA West Point) Officers American History Military History Education
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 6
Posted 4 y ago
LTC Stephen F. Would you please describe to Rally Point how the West Point Class of 1980 accepted the first ever female cadets?
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SCPO Morris Ramsey
4 y
That is not what it says. There is a period there. In 1980, 62 of those 119 graduated. That is a pretty high drop out rate.
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Posted 4 y ago
Great share brother, that's the same year that I enlisted in the Guard.
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Posted 4 y ago
On October 8, 1975, the President of the United States signed into law a bill directing that women would be admitted to America ’s service academies. The law stated that:
“. . . the Secretaries of the military departments concerned shall take such action as may be necessary and appropriate to ensure that (1) female individuals shall be eligible for appointment and admission to the service academy concerned, beginning in the calendar year 1976, and . . .”
“. . . the Secretaries of the military departments concerned shall take such action as may be necessary and appropriate to ensure that (1) female individuals shall be eligible for appointment and admission to the service academy concerned, beginning in the calendar year 1976, and . . .”
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