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Brass ceiling broken

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Written by Kristin Chapman

November 18, 7:15 AM

After 33 years in the Army, Ann Dunwoody, 55, made history last week by becoming the first woman in the U.S. military to reach the rank of four-star general. Defense Secretary Robert Gates attended the ceremony and said, “History will, no doubt, take note of her achievement in breaking through this final brass ceiling to pin on a fourth star. But she would rather be known and remembered, first and foremost, as a U.S. Army soldier. “

Topic: Culture, WorldMagBlog

Keywords: Ann Dunwoody, army, brass ceiling, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, four-star general

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back to top7 Comments to “Brass ceiling broken”

BY Sawgunner 11.18.08 AT 7:30 AM

And no mention of the husband there at her side who quietly supported her and held down the fort?
My hospital’s Deputy Commander for Clinical Services is a great lady. At a post newcomer’s inbrief I actually met her husband. Do you not find it to be true that you can learn so much about a man/woman when you get acquainted with his/her spouse? That is, you’d hopefully know me better by meeting the kinda gal whom I’d pick to marry and who’d put up with me all these years, all these moves etc
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BY Sawgunner 11.18.08 AT 7:38 AM

Would Margaret Thatcher ever ascended to her job, changed and nation and the entire world without Dennis there always? Congrats to General D.
I say lets name a city in Georgia in her honor!
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BY kBells 11.18.08 AT 7:42 AM

So, who would you say was more helpful to their wife’s campaign; Bill Clinton or Todd Palin?
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BY momoffour 11.18.08 AT 8:43 AM

Is nothing historic anymore unless it was done by a woman or an African-American???

Blessings!! 8*)
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BY John M. 11.18.08 AT 8:46 AM

Hmmm. While I’m sure she’s immensely qualified and fully deserving of the rank, I do question why a logistics officer needs a 4-star billet. I imagine it’s pretty unusual for 4-stars in the army to come from somewhere other than a combat branch. I wonder if there is some affirmative action here.

i.e., in the Air Force, it’s almost impossible to get four stars unless you’re a pilot. Because flying is what the Air Force does, after all.
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BY michelle 11.18.08 AT 4:43 PM

Good point, John, and that’s probably why there aren’t many top female “brass”, since combat experience and command experience are also prerequisites in the other branches. The Navy had a brilliant female admiral for many years who ran the computer end of the service.
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BY Kennethos 11.18.08 AT 5:01 PM

This is fantastic! Women are doing vital jobs and missions in the military, and it’s a very good thing that a female soldier has now been elevated to a four-star general!
Hooah!
(Incidentally, her husband is a retired Air Force full-bird colonel. Very cool!)
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