Ann E. Dunwoody becomes first female four-star general

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Story here. Below is an excerpt:

Dunwoody, whose husband, Craig Brotchie, served for 26 years in the Air Force, choked up at times during a speech in which she said she only recently realized how much her accomplishment means to others.

“This promotion has taken me back in time like no other event in my entire life,” she said. “And I didn’t appreciate the enormity of the events until tidal waves of cards, letters, and e-mails started coming my way.

“And I’ve heard from men and women, from every branch of service, from every region of our country, and every corner of the world. I’ve heard from moms and dads who see this promotion as a beacon of home for their own daughters and after affirmation that anything is possible through hard work and commitment.

“And I’ve heard from women veterans of all wars, many who just wanted to say congratulations; some who just wanted to say thanks; and still other who just wanted to say they were so happy this day had finally come.”

–Ann Bartow

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0 Responses to Ann E. Dunwoody becomes first female four-star general

  1. RitaBell says:

    First I would like to offer big congratulations on this milestone achievement of the first woman to become a 4 Star General. My father was in the Army and served this nation many years. I am aware of the many hurtles General Dunwoody must have had to endure to achieve this honor.

    But, I take exception to General Ann Dunwoody herself giving voice to a demeaning ‘joke’ about a successful woman and an astonished man. That ‘joke’ played out in local papers in upstate New York, near where she graduated College. I would ask the General to PLEASE remove that ‘joke’ from her repertoire. It is no doubt that she is an educated, accomplished WOMAN. She should be true to that as well, and not diminish her own accomplishments with platitudes. By virtue of her accomplishments, she is a role model for what women can aspire to achieve. These types of ‘jokes’ only seek to diminish the achievement.
    Rita Bell

  2. Ann Bartow says:

    I guess you are referring to this excerpt of the linked article:

    “There is no one more surprised than I : except, of course, my husband. You know what they say, `Behind every successful woman there is an astonished man.’ “

    I thought she was being humorously self-effacing, which may be a tactic she has used successfully to help her advance in a very masculine culture. Eye of the beholder I guess.

  3. HRoark1 says:

    I was up late last night and caught her promotion ceremony on CSpan. She came across as a remarkable Officer who clawed her way up in a system that has not welcomed women in its ranks. As a retired Naval Officer (25 years of enlisted and commissioned service with 9 as an attorney), I found her speech to be one of the best I have ever heard.

    The only person who can truly understand the hurdles the General had to clear is herself. I haven’t walked in her shoes, so I will not assume to know what she had to endure. She has reached the summit of her profession and can take all the pot-shots at herself she wants to.

    Had you taken the time to watch the entire ceremony, you would have seen the woman who, with great humility, recognized her very first NCO who promised to help her become a great Lieutenant, her father (a retired Brigadier General who received the second highest award for bravery during his service), her deceased Mother, her supportive Husband who himself served 26 years as an Air Force Officer, each one of her many mentors and each of her family members and friends.

    Had you watched her ceremony, you would have caught General Casey (Army Chief of Staff) cracking a joke about General Dunwoody’s Husband and even heard her joke about him before she made the comment you refer to.

    General Dunwoody is a class act who earned her place amongst the top of her chosen profession.