The U.S. Army has changed considerably since my active service from 1978 to 1987. Back then, the prevailing belief was that a woman’s best career path in the Army was to become a cook. But this month, Command Sgt. Maj. Teresa L. King became commandant of the drill instructor school in Ft. Jackson, South Carolina—and the first woman to hold such a post. In her position, King will be responsible for training all drill instructors.
King and Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody (who made history in 2008 by becoming the first woman to attain the rank of four-star general) are role models for women of all ages. As a veteran, I know firsthand the discipline, commitment, and drive needed to flourish in the military, qualities these women possess in spades. My military experience prepared me well to serve as a leader in the association world. At AAUW, we’re breaking through barriers so that young women can take on nontraditional leadership roles. Any woman who can succeed in a male-dominated field is impressive, but women with the wherewithal to be promoted to the head of that field—as King has—are simply magnificent.
Earlier this year, we honored Maj. Tammy Duckworth, the assistant secretary of veterans’ affairs, as a 2009 Woman of Distinction and invited her to speak to young women student leaders along with our other honorees. Maj. Duckworth pointed out that, in the military, she makes “exactly 100 pennies to the dollar that my male counterpart makes.” She went on to describe the Army’s policy as “equal pay for equal work—it’s basic, decent human rights.”
I couldn’t agree more, and I hope that very soon we’ll see more cracks in the brass ceiling.
Linda Hallman is Executive Director of the American Association of University Women.
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