The U.S. Navy recently promoted Adm. Michelle J. Howard to become the No. 2 officer in the service. She is the first woman to serve as Vice Chief of Naval Operations. Howard is not only the first woman to be promoted to four-star admiral, but also the first African-American. During her promotion ceremony at Arlington National Ceremony, she spoke to a crowd of family, friends and peers. If you dont believe today was a first, when I called to order four-star shoulder boards for women, they didnt exist, Howard said. A special contract was let, and you folks are seeing the first set in the history of the United States Navy. Howard graduated from Gateway High School in 1978. In her senior year yearbook, Howard was recognized as one of Gateway’s “Top Ten Achievers” with a 3.922 GPA. Howard then went on to graduate from the United States Naval Academy in 1982. She also earned a master’s degree from the Army’s Command and General Staff College in 1998. She has been making history ever since. In fact, on March 12, 1999, Howard took command of the USS Rushmore, becoming the first African-American woman to command a Naval ship. Howard’s drive to reach new heights and make history may be epitomized in the quote she chose to accompany her senior year photo. It is a quote from Satchel Paige that reads, “Never look back! Something may be chasing you (and it may be gaining).” Congratulations Adm. Howard! Your Aurora Public Schools family is proud of your historic accomplishments! (Photo #1 Courtesy: U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Peter D. Lawlor/Released) (Photos #2 & 3 Courtesy: 1978 Gateway High School yearbook)
Posted on: Fri, 04 Jul 2014 01:35:00 +0000
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