Blue Star Chronicles

Meet Ann E. Dunwoody. Today she became the first female Four-Star General in the United States Army. Read about it and see photos and a video below.

Ann E. Dunwoody

Ann E. Dunwoody was confirmed by the Senate in July and promoted by President George W. Bush on November 14, 2008 to Full General, becoming the first Four-Star General. There was a celebratory mood during and after the ceremony for this history making event.

Both General Dunwoody’s father and husband showed up in support of her accomplishment. Her husband is retired Air Force Colonel Craig Brotchie, which means she outranks him by a long shot. During the ceremony, she gave him a hat that read ‘boss’, so it looks like they’ve got the ranking thing worked out. Her father is retired Brigadier General Harold H. Dunwoody (pictured below in a wheelchair). So she outranks her father as well. None of the men in her life seemed threatened by her rank, but encouraged her for her accomplishments, talent and aspirations.

She was promoted by as Republican President just as the first one-star female General was. Anna Mae Hays was promoted 38 years ago by President Richard Nixon. Unfortunately, the Republican party is still defined by the democratic party as the ‘party of old white men’ even though that is in no way true.

Read Ann E. Dunwoody’s biography.

A couple of good Ann E. Dunwoody quotes:

“I am very honored but also very humbled today with this announcement, I grew up in a family that didn’t know what glass ceilings were. This nomination only reaffirms what I have known to be true about the military throughout my career that the doors continue to open for men and women in uniform.” ~ Lieutenant General Ann Dunwoody

“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.’” ~ Lieutenant General Ann Dunwoody

Ann E. Dunwoody - Photos