4. First to Be First: – Connect-A-Vet

In the history of military and veteran affairs, certain women have emerged as trailblazers, breaking barriers and setting precedents in leadership roles that were once deemed unattainable for their gender. These women, whether serving directly within the military ranks or leading organizations that support military personnel and veterans, have redefined what it means to be a leader. Their achievements are not just personal victories but pivotal moments that have reshaped the landscape
of military service and veteran care, proving that leadership transcends gender and that the qualities of courage, resilience, and dedication are universal.

The women featured in “First on First” represent a diverse group of pioneers who have been the first in their fields, setting a powerful example for future generations. Their contributions range from commanding military units to heading major organizations dedicated to the welfare of service members and veterans. Whether they wore the uniform themselves or worked tirelessly to support those who did, their leadership has consistently centered on serving the military community. Through their groundbreaking work, they have not only opened doors for others but also ensured that the needs and sacrifices of those who serve are honored and supported at every level of society.

Military Women Marching Forward:
The landscape of leadership across various sectors has been notably enriched by the increasing presence of women who have transitioned from military service to influential roles in civilian life. These trailblazing women have demonstrated that the discipline, resilience, and strategic thinking cultivated in the armed forces are invaluable assets that can drive success far beyond the confines of military operations. As they march forward, breaking barriers and redefining what leadership looks like, these women embody the evolution of both military and corporate cultures, proving that the skills honed on the battlefield can translate into transformative leadership in boardrooms, non-profit organizations, and beyond. Their journeys reflect a broader societal shift towards embracing diversity and acknowledging that leadership is not confined by gender but defined by competence, experience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Here’s a names of notable women who have transitioned from military service to prominent leadership roles, including CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, major non-profit organizations, and top positions in military service organizations. There are many women who have served as CEOs of Fortune 500 corporation who have expanded their company to major contracts with the military. I will also list some key first women who were first to navigate the pathway to smashing the glass ceiling.

Lets take a look at a few of these amazing women who were “first to be first” and have led the way and smashed the glass ceiling.

Four Star Generals and Admirals:

Army – General Ann E. Dunwoody – 2008
Navy – Admiral Michelle J. Howard – 2014
Marine Corps – Lieutenant General Carol A. Mutter – 1996
(No Four Star General to date in the Marine Corps)
Air Force – General Janet C. Wolfenbarger – 2012
Coast Guard – Admiral Linda L. Fagan – 2021
Space Force – General Nina M. Armagno – 2021

Secretary of the Military Branches:

First Secretary of the Army
Christine Wormuth (2021-present) is the first woman to serve as Secretary of the Army. Her tenure focuses on modernizing the Army, enhancing diversity and inclusion, and addressing challenges related to Army readiness and recruitment. Her leadership marks a significant step forward in breaking gender barriers in high-level military positions.
First Secretary of the Air Force
Barbara Barrett (2019-2021) She made history as the first woman to serve as Secretary of the Air Force. Her tenure involved focusing on modernizing the Air Force’s capabilities, addressing the needs of airmen, and supporting the development of space and cyber capabilities. She played a key role in advancing the Air Force’s strategic priorities during her time in office.

Medals of Honor for Bravery and Heroism:
The Silver Star is awarded for gallantry in action. A relatively small number of
women have received this prestigious decoration. Notable examples include:

Colonel (Ret.) DeDe Halfhill – Air Force – Silver Star
Major (Ret.) Marie Rossi – Army – Silver & Star Bronze Star

The Bronze Star is awarded for heroism or meritorious service. Many women have received the Bronze Star, reflecting their significant contributions and bravery.

Examples include:

Major General Linda Singh – Army National Guard – Bronze Star
Lieutenant Colonel Laura J. Richardson – Army – Bronze Star

The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded to those who reflect the bravery and outstanding service of women in both branches, recognizing their significant contributions and achievements.

Captain Rosemary B. Mariner – Navy – Distinguished Flying Cross
Colonel Nicole Malachowski – Air Force – Distinguished Flying Cross

The Coast Guard Medal is awarded for non-combat heroic actions. It is however awarded for heroic actions during challenging rescue operations and other such acts of valor.

Lieutenant Commander Jennifer C. Harris – Coast Guard – Coast Guard Medal
Chief Petty Officer Laura L. Smith – Coast Guard – Coast Guard Medal

Congress:

House of Representative & Senator, Margaret Chase Smith – Navy’s Women’s Reserve (WAVES) during WWII. Margaret Chase Smith is from Maine and best known for her courageous stand against McCarthyism.
House of Representative, Tulsi Gabbard – Lieutenant Colonel – Army Reserve – Served in Congress 2013 – 2021 – A U.S. Army Reserve officer who served in the House of Representatives from Hawaii. She is known for her work on military and foreign policy issues. She served two tours in the Middle East. She was the first female combat veteran to serve in Congress.

Women Veteran Commanders, Presidents, CEOs, etc. of Military Service Organizations

First Women National Commander of the American Legion
Denise Rohan – U.S. Army: She joined the American Legion 30+ years ago after serving in the Army’s Quartermaster Corps at the tail end of the Vietnam War. She made history as the first woman to hold this position in the organization’s history, elected in 2017. She is a volunteer for the 115th Fighter Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s Airman and Family Readiness Program. The American Legion is one of the largest and most formidable veterans’ organizations, offering more than 2 million members fraternity and a national platform for the issues that concern them. The organization is chartered by the U.S. Congress and was established in 1919.

First Women National Commander of Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
Delphine Metcalf-Foster – U.S. Army: She is a trailblazing figure in veteran advocacy, having made history as the first woman to serve as the National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), elected in 2015. Her tenure as National Commander was marked by her efforts to enhance veteran services and advocate for the needs of disabled veterans, helping to shape the DAV’s mission
and impact. Through the DAVs various programs and advocacy efforts, they work hard to improve the quality of life for disabled veterans so they receive their benefits, get the care they deserve and strengthen their voices in the policy arena by focusing on issues such as healthcare, compensation, and rehabilitation. The DAV was founded in 1920.

First Women National Commander of AMVETS
Jan Brown – Air Force – 2019-2020 – She made significant strides in advocating for veteran healthcare, mental health services, and women’s veterans’ issues, ensuring that underrepresented voices within the veteran community were heard at the national level.

Women Veterans Serving as CEOs of Major Charities and Foundations:

First Women Executive Director of The Gary Sinise Foundation
Judith Otter, Inception-2011 She played a crucial role in forming and growing the foundation. As she initiated and expanded the various programs, notably those dealing with supporting wounded veterans, first responders, and their families, thereby strengthening the organization’s impact across the country.
Current Women Executive Director of The Gary Sinise Foundation
Donna Mercier, 2023-Present – She has been instrumental in driving the foundation’s efforts to provide customized smart homes for severely wounded veterans, enhancing their independence and quality of life, while also spearheading initiatives to honor and support veterans and their families through various outreach programs.
Mary K. Barr – Marine Corps She became CEO of the American Red Cross (Regional) who utilized her leadership skills to guide humanitarian efforts and disaster response initiatives.
Loree Sutton – New York City Department of Veterans’ Services and Commissioner of and founder of non-profit organizations focused on veteran care and mental health.
Suzanne Vautrinot – Air Force Major General. President of Kilovolt Consulting and Chair of the Board for the National Cybersecurity Center. Vautrinot, played a key role in cybersecurity and non-profit governance.
Patricia Horoho – Surgeon General of the U.S. Army. CEO of OptumServe and former Horoho leads health services and operations for the UnitedHealth Group’s military and veterans division.
Veronica Hinton – Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and now leads a major non-profit focused on veteran affairs.

Military Women on the Outside Serving as CEOs of Major Corporations:

Michele J. Sisco – U.S. Air Force – Before transitioning into the corporate world. She later became the CEO of NetJets, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, which is involved in private jet ownership and management.
Theresa Whitmarsh – Army Officer – She became Executive Director of the Washington State Investment Board. Whitmarsh, transitioned to a high- level role in public finance and investments, managing billions of dollars in assets.
Kathleen Hildreth – Army – She served as an Army pilot before becoming the co-founder one of the largest woman-owned government services providers in the United States, M1 Support Services.
Ellen J. Kullman – West Point Graduate – CEO of DuPont, and led DuPont through significant restructuring and oversaw the merger with Dow Chemical.
Michele Flournoy – Under Secretary of Defense for Policy – She was the Co-founder of WestExec Advisors. Her leadership in both the public and private sectors, included advising major corporations, as a key figure in the intersection of military and corporate leadership.

Non-Veteran Women CEOs with Military Contracts:

Kathy Warden – Northrop Grumman – 2019-Present
A major defense contractor providing aerospace and defense technology, including unmanned systems, cyber solutions and missile defense systems.
Marillyn Hewson – Lockheed Martin – 2013-2020
One of the largest defense contractors globally, know for its work on the F-36 fighter jet, missile defense systems, and various other military technologies.
Phebe Novakovic – General Dynamics – 2013-Present
Providing a wide range of military services and products, including combat vehicles, weapons systems, and IT services for defense.
Leanne Caret – Boeing Defense, Space & Security – 2016-Present
Involved in producing military aircraft, satellites and defense systems.
Lynn Dugle – Engility (now part of SAIC) -2016-2019
Engility provided engineering and IT services to defense and intelligence agencies. SAIC put in their own CEO when they acquired Engility.
Marillyn Hewson – Former CEO of Lockheed Martin. Hewson served as a prominent leader within Lockheed Martin and was credited for her pivotal role in the company’s growth and innovation, particularly in aerospace and defense technologies.
Mary Barra – General Motors _ 2014-Present
A subsidiary, GM Defense focuses on developing military vehicles and technologies, including the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) for the Army. She is instrumental in diversifying their revenue streams into technological advancement for defense applications.

In Conclusion, we can see throughout history, numerous women have shattered barriers and opened doors to leadership roles once thought unattainable. These trailblazing women, whether they served in the military or led major organizations, have made significant strides in breaking the glass ceiling and paving the way for future generations. From the groundbreaking career of General Lori Robinson, the first woman to head a major Unified Combatant Command, to the pioneering leadership of Delphine Metcalf-Foster as the first female National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), these women have set powerful precedents in fields traditionally dominated by men. Their achievements not only reflect their individual excellence but also symbolize a broader shift towards inclusivity and equality through their qualifications in leadership positions.

Women like Judith Otter and Donna Mercier have demonstrated that top leadership roles in major charities are also within reach, proving that dedication and strategic vision are key to success, regardless of gender. Otter’s leadership at the Gary Sinise Foundation and Mercier’s work in enhancing support for veterans and their families have highlighted how effective and compassionate leadership can drive meaningful change. These leaders have not only championed the causes of veterans but also showcased the invaluable contributions women can make in top- tier roles, thereby inspiring others to pursue similar paths.

As we reflect on these remarkable women and their accomplishments, it’s clear that their impact extends far beyond their own careers. They have forged new pathways for others to follow, demonstrating that the barriers once deemed insurmountable can indeed be overcome. And in the spirit of Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s on First,” where the confusion and comedy arise from a simple mix-up in roles and names, we find a fitting analogy in the journey of these trailblazing women. Their leadership reminds us that, much like the routine, the real challenge lies not in knowing who’s on first but in ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to step up to the plate, hit the ball and smash that glass ceiling. So, as we celebrate their achievements, let’s not get caught up in the confusion of “who’s leading where” but rather appreciate the progress made and the doors they’ve opened for others to follow.