Cadet Who Made West Point History Is Among 'College Women of the Year'

Sadly, until we are all referred to as soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines, we will continue to have growing pains.

How did she fail? She addressed it professionally by taking race and sex out of the equation. That’s how you want a leader to answer. He wasn’t flippant, disrespectful, or arrogant. Had she mentioned race or sex, THEN it would’ve been an issue. Would it have been any different had The Pentagon, Army Times, or some sudo-formal rag asked her? Would her answer be any more right or wrong? She didn’t make the questions she answered them.

I read the Glamour and Stars&Stripes articles. Both highlighted her race and sex. She failed because, she should not have accepted the premise that her race or sex was important. If he Press knew she would be unwilling to talk about race or sex, she wouldn't have been interviewed. Would she get all this attention if her skin wasn't darker than others?. She has to decide which is more important, physical traits beyond her control or her hard work?

LTJG Richard Bruce - There will always be someone that will ask the questions. So you say run from every avenue that will ask that, and not address them properly? What example is that setting? So only questions that are ok are those that center around you as the individual and what you bring to the service? If that is the case, then she should not be allowed to speak of the glass ceiling she broke, the glass ceiling those female Rangers broke, the glass ceiling GEN Dunwoody broke as the first female four star, VADM Howard the first black female three star admiral. They cannot speak on their accomplishments due to their sex. That makes no sense and these outlets are places more folks than us men go to for information and are guiding lights to other women who want to try but consider themselves unable for whatever reason. She is a leadership success. She didn't run from the problem, she didn't hide from the problem, she didn't shy away from the hard question, she looked it straight in the face no matter who asked it and answered it. She is a woman, a Soldier, a leader or men AND women in the halls where MEN are known as the leaders of all.

No one should be afraid of what they are. Apparently someone above her thought she had the traits, ok'd what she said, and supported her as she went along. There was no "casting couch" needed, and had this been a man, I guess it would've been different. Actually no. Had this been a man, it would've been business as usual. That's what makes this special.