Story Highlights
- Historical event
- 15 May 1970
- Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth Paschel Hoisington were the first women in the U.S. history who received general ranks.
On this day in 1970, the U.S. President Richard Nixon announced the appointment of the first female generals in the U.S. Army.
They were Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth Paschel Hoisington, who received the ranks of brigadier generals.
At the time, Anna Mae Hays was Chief of the Army Nurse Corps, and Elizabeth Paschel Hoisington was Director of the Women’s Army Corps.
Since 1970, many women have reached the rank of a general in the U.S. Army. There are about 70 female generals and admirals in the United States.
Several women reached the rank of a four-star general, the highest possible rank when there is no war.
Elizabeth Ann Dunwoody was the first woman in the U.S. military and uniformed service history to achieve a four-star officer rank (in 2008).
