The United States Military Academy at West Point selects its first “BLACK WOMAN as First Captain”

History has officially been made and I am so excited about the fact that my undergrad (Alma Mater) has selected an African American Woman ( for the first time ) as the First Captain for the 2017-2018 school year “Simone Askew of Fairfax, Virginia”


For those of you who do not know, I am a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and a member of the Class of 2012. Also if you have never heard of West Point please hit up your local search engine.




West Point was established 215 years ago, in 1802 with females being admitted in 1976 and the first black female graduates earning the title of West Point graduate in 1980 ( Pat Walker Locke and Joy Dallas). The First Captain is the highest ranking cadet at West Point and a position that is highly respected.

My mentor Moni called me to give me the exciting news. I literally hopped up to dance and twerk a bit. That’s how I celebrate in all of my Black Girl Magic Essence. The news was shocking and uplifting all at the same time. When my sisters WIN we all win.


The West Point student body population consists mainly of white males so having a black female as first captain is definitely a big deal. I’m interested in how the student body aka Corps of Cadets will respond to the selection. I’m definitely going to make it my buisiness to call out any negativity that I see.

It’s amazing to see how far society and West Point has evolved and it warms my heart dearly to know that a Phenomenal Black Woman has literally made it to the top with the help of those awesome women who have paved the way. Such as the first black woman to hold the position of Cadet Sergeant Major ” Emily Perez”

Young black women can now be inspired by Simone’s success and this will definitely inspire more women of color to possibly attend the academy.

Congratulations Simone Askew you have made the Black Female West Point Alumni and current cadet’s so proud. Good luck leading the Corps of Cadets

Oh and one more thing

It’s about darn TIME we had a Black Woman leading from the front. I hope West Point is ready for the Black Girl Magic that is about to be bestowed upon the institution.

 


Follow me on Instagram/Twitter/Snapchat at @LelaV89

Remember To Always Be

Fierce and Fabulous

xoxo Lela Victoria

32 Replies to “The United States Military Academy at West Point selects its first “BLACK WOMAN as First Captain””

  1. Kellie Meehan says: Reply

    I hear she was the best person for the job! Wishing her every success this year and the following. Kellie (proud Daughter, Wife, Sister of grads and Mother of a new cadet)

    1. Lela Victoria says: Reply

      Yes I’m tracking she was the best person as well. Qualified military and academically. Sending well wishes to your new cadet

  2. Richard French says: Reply

    So Proud of this wonderful young woman, I had the honor of being her AP US History teacher, also wrote a recommendation for her to the Point. She was always a hard driven goal orientated student, She will do well and be the leader our country can be proud of.

    1. Lela Victoria says: Reply

      Oh wow sounds like you got to experience her greatness early on in her career how exciting

  3. Madam, I share your pride and congratulatory remarks for this fine young Leader. It’s always great to see strong leadership and accomplishments properly recognized. I would like to point out, however, that Ms. Askew earned this position based on her merits, hard work, and ability to lead, not because of the color of her skin. I have no doubts that she faced adversity along the way, just as many others did. I think it’s important to recognize her for the hard work and achievements that earned her this coveted position and the responsibility for which she’s been entrusted. Surely, she was selected for this position because she will teach, coach, mentor, develop, discipline, reward, and lead the corps of cadets through her demonstrated leadership, not simply because she’s a black female. I would challenge her with striving to be the most effective First Captain and not “bestowing black girl magic upon the institution”.

    1. Lela Victoria says: Reply

      I never said she did it earn the position through hard work and dedication ( of course she did that’s a given ) that doesn’t mean we ignore the fact that she’s a black woman

      1. In response to Mr Daniel’s comment: I don’t think Lela sowught to overlook Ms Askew’s accomplishments. Being a member of the Long Grey Line herself I’m certain she knows first hand what it takes. However, being a person of color who graduated WP she also knows first hand the additional challenges that are met while attending and subsequently graduating from there as well. Furthermore, she knows the the added challenges of being female; a double obstacle. You kid yourself if you believe she ought not commend Ms Askew for rising to the status of First Captain in light of all the obstacles she faced that no other white male would have been met with on the road to said accomplishment. Since she is the “first” it deserves mentioning because it is unique to her. Also, don’t for a second think some of her white counterparts will bat an eye while pointing it the fact that she didn’t get there on merit but on color. Ignorance isn’t bliss.

        1. Lela Victoria says: Reply

          Thank you Crissy,

          You are right, I definitely know how hard Simone had to work and sacrifice to achieve such a prestigious position. I also see no issue in celebrating the fact that she is indeed a Black Woman. Believe it or not I have received many comments similar to Mr Daniels and it just goes to show that people have a major issue with someone celebrating their blackness. Going through the academy as a Black Female were some of the most challenging years of my life. I know for a fact that Simone at times faced similar obstacles and I’m happy she was able to overcome them and succeed all at the same time.

    2. Really???!

  4. Aldo Aguirre says: Reply

    I had the pleasure of having this amazing young lady in class when I was an Instructor at USMA from 2015-2017. I am sure the selection was competitive, but I can unequivocally say that Simone is definitely qualified, across the board: academically, physically, mentally, and spiritually to lead the corps of cadets. She is a very intelligent and humble person, and her attitude is efficacious. I know she will make an excellent leader and I look forward to hearing about other achievments I am certain she will conquer! Great job Simone, very proud of you!!!

    1. Lela Victoria says: Reply

      She has an amazing reputation and is definitely destined for greatness

  5. Stephen Beever says: Reply

    Cadet Askew EARNED the assignment to First Captain. A cadet’s race and gender is immaterial. Talent, however, is not immaterial – it is crucial. Congratulations to Cadet Askew. The Corp is fortunate to have you.

    As a West Point graduate, I am fiercely offended with the following paragraph from the article:

    “The West Point student body population consists mainly of white males so having a black female as first captain is definitely a big deal. I’m interested in how the student body aka Corps of Cadets will respond to the selection. I’m definitely going to make it my buisiness to call out any negativity that I see. ”

    The military, and especially West Point, are a team. The Long Gray Line, to which Cadet Askew’s class aspires membership, is not about identity politics. Cadet Askew and her classmates will literally depend upon the Army team during their careers for their very lives. The blatant racism and sexism in the above paragraph is demeaning to Cadet Askew, the Corp, and the U.S. Army.

    As a fellow graduate, I am dismayed at the lack of leadership displayed in this article.

    1. Lela Victoria says: Reply

      Stephen, you have the right to be offended. I agree the Army is one team but let’s not act like racial and gender bias doesn’t exist within the ranks. We are a team but a team that is indeed flawed and can be improved drastically.

      Could you believe elaborate on what sexism and racism is displayed in the write up

      When I stated that having a black woman as the first captain is a big deal

      As a black woman who is also a fellow graduate, I endured many challenges at the academy that were centered solely around my gender and race.

    2. I’m also concerned by that paragraph. As a white male who graduated West Point before the author (and served under a female first captain) I can say with confidence that nobody cares that Askew is black or female and I’m sure she will do a great job. If there is dissent among the ranks it will be underground and insignificant.

      1. Lela Victoria says: Reply

        Sean,

        It would be foolish to say that nobody cares that she’s a black female. There were cadet and alumni upset that the school decided to name the new barracks after General days as well as people upset over a photo black female cadets took together

  6. What an awesome person. Congrats for her hard work. It’s what she did that earned her the position.

    1. Lela Victoria says: Reply

      Of course it’s what she did academically, military, and physical while at the academy that earned her the position

  7. Tonya Hawkins says: Reply

    I wonder why when we call out good Black achievements there is this race to water it down to just achievements. However, when there are negative things to call out there are never enough cheerleaders to support identifying the assailant race and or sex. You can’t highlight the bad and attach color and down play the good by trying to only speak on the achievement. I congratulate this young woman who has achieved an awesome position amongst her peers. I also think calling out her race highlights to those behind her a shining example of someone who truly looks like them and who by virtue of her race will have similar experiences. Young black women and girls can hold her up as an reflection of themselves and who can only now dream a little bit bigger. Kudos to her !!

    1. Lela Victoria says: Reply

      I definitely wish I had her to look up to when I was going through the academy

  8. Awesome article. Congrats to the young lady for breaking barriers some will never understand.

  9. Brandon Peoples says: Reply

    Let this star shine. The articles author defames a beautiful woman all together. “Black girl magic” wth?? She deserves to be recognized by her accompliments not her skin color. They don’t make an emoji for my kind of mood right now. Congrats to this shining gem. Thank your for you service.

    1. Lela Victoria says: Reply

      Brandon,

      I guess you have no idea what Black Girl Magic stands for or represents, please take some time to look it up. It’s the celebration of the accomplishments of black women and it’s about having pride in our race and gender

  10. Congrats Cpt. Askew,
    This has been a long process in the history of the US Army Academy as an historical and educational institution. You represent a pillar of America’s identity and a defender of freedom for all US Citizens and I’ m confident that you’ll represent the the intergrity and spirit of your brothers and sisters both past and present. Personally, my mother served your US Army JAG for 49 years and 6 months as a court report and like you she practiced and developed her personal and professional charater, respect and defended the truth for almost 50 years until her retirement in June 2013. You continue to embrace those same vaules and honor that Army strong tradition both for our men and women service men! Pressure Always Make Diamons so continue to shine.

    All the Best,

  11. Congrats Cpt. Askew,
    This has been a long process in the history of the US Army Academy as an historical and educational institution. You represent a pillar of America’s identity and a defender of freedom for all US Citizens and I’ m confident that you’ll represent the intergrity and spirit of your brothers and sisters both past and present. Personally, my mother served your US Army JAG for 49 years and 6 months as a court reporter and like you she practiced and developed her personal and professional character, respect and defended the truth for almost 50 years until her retirement in June 2013. You continue to embrace those same vaules and honor that Army strong tradition both for our men and women service men! Pressure Always Make Diamons so continue to shine.

    All the Best,

  12. congratulations to Simone for your hard work ,dedication and any obstacles that you had to overcome. Job well done!!!!

  13. Gayla Thomas-Dabney says: Reply

    Congrats First Captain Simone Askew,
    First Captain Askew, you got where you are based off of your hard work, dedication, merits, leadership, and all else that you have done to be granted this opportunity. This is an awesome accomplishment in which you have been selected to go forward and lead a fine group of women and men. I can speak to the fact that respect is earned and not given, so I know without a doubt regardless of the color of your skin, that you earned the right to be selected for this position based on everything that was required to get selected and everything else that was required to evaluate you against your peers.
    As a black woman, a Navy leader for 23 years, nobody gives you anything! Being a black woman did not earn me the rank of Senior Chief (SW) Petty Officer (E-8). I had to go to sea, perform, lead, and be evaluated as such just like everyone else. We earn our way to the top of the ranks and many of our fellow brothers and sisters were proud to assist me in getting there and accomplishing the things that I needed to accomplish. It was not just my race that provided me with the leadership I needed to meet my goals.
    The reason I joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 years old because of the camaraderie, the culture, the leadership opportunities, and to travel the world. The military was not the hard transition for me, it was the civilian life that has literally disappointed me in so many ways. Don’t get it twisted, our “country” definitely has a race relations issues for sure, and I will not deny that we don’t have issues with race in our military, but that experience was NOTHING compared to what I have observed and experienced as a civilian.
    Go forward my sister and take care of your soldiers and allow God to lead your decisions. Keep God first in all you do, and you will NEVER go wrong. God ordains ALL things, so it is with no doubt that I know you are where you are because it is where you are destined to be! Don’t let anyone ever make your think that it is because of your race as many have stated in this post. Your are worthy and deserving of this awesome promotion! Godspeed, and may God’s blessing and favor be with you and your commands and troops always.
    Much respect and love,
    From Senior Chief Petty Officer (Surface Warfare) (Ret.), one sister to another, First Captain Simone Askew, job well done!

  14. For those offended by the article, the author in no way implied that Simone received the honor because she was black. Please stop responding to something that wasn’t said. Secondly, if you are white you will most likely never understand what it means to be a minority in this country and the fact that the more you achieve, the more likely you will work and live around people that don’t look like you. When people of color see someone that looks like them achieve something that is not the norm in our culture, it is indeed something to celebrate and highlight. I know you don’t get it and most likely never will.

    1. Lela Victoria says: Reply

      Tara,

      Some people really were reaching with the comments, its as if people can’t comprehend. I was definitely simply congratulating her while also acknowledging that she accomplished a first for black women

  15. Michael Ryan says: Reply

    We recognize Jackie Robinson, Mae Jimeson, Arthur Ashe and many other first person in… Congratulations! She earned it and I hope she aces the position.

    1. She’s going to so well she already has

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