50 Years of Women at the U.S. Naval Academy:

The United States and the great state of Maryland continue the celebrations of our 250 year anniversary. The United States Naval Academy (USNA) alumni community is also celebrating a significant milestone – the 50th Anniversary of women joining the Brigade at USNA. Fifty years ago on July 6th, 2026, 81 women joined the ranks of the Brigade of Midshipmen for the first time, with 55 of those women graduating in the first co-ed class in May 1980. Since then, more than 10,000 women have joined the ranks of Naval Academy midshipmen. Since the first class in 1980, more than 7,300 women have graduated, including graduates from the Class of 2026, who celebrated their graduation and commencement on May 22. USNA has graduated more than 91,000 men and women over its 181-year history – many of whom return to Maryland after their service. In this article, we recognize this significant and historic milestone through the lens of the recent events in Annapolis celebrating the 50th anniversary.

Over four days in April, USNA Women – a non-profit organization operating under the wider umbrella of the Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (USNA AA&F) – celebrated 50 Years of women at USNA with a three-day conference and gala marking the achievements of women at USNA and in their service beyond the Naval Academy in the Navy and Marine Corps, Government and Civilian service, and their communities. Sisterhood of Mother B’s Waypoints Podcast was there too, and we recorded four mini-podcasts with panelists and alumnae so that you can listen to real-time thoughts and reactions.

Events kicked off with a reception on Thursday evening reuniting with old friends, reconnecting with shipmates and touring Fluegel Alumni Center, the USNA AA&F’s stunning conference and event center – completed in 2023. As attendees entered for registration, they were met by women-graduate authors and their books along with other commemorative items celebrating the milestone. An attention-grabbing 6.5ftx6.5ft commemorative quilt, designed and crafted by eleven alumnae and staged just to the right of the entry hall, acted as the backdrop for many pictures. The quilt tells the story of women at the Naval Academy, from their first entrance in the summer of 1976, to the opening of initial billets on ships, the partial repeal of combat exclusion in 1993 that allowed women to serve on combat ships and aircraft, the beginning of women’s service in the submarine force, and finally the full repeal of combat exclusion. It recognizes women’s service on land, in the air, and at sea at every rank in the brigade of midshipmen and the officer corps.

Representatives of the Military Women’s Memorial located at Arlington National Cemetery were on hand to register women veterans and collect their stories. Alumni groups were well-represented, including USNA AA&F, Naval Academy Minority Association, Run to Honor, Naval Engineers & STEM Advocates, USNA Pride, and USNA Alumni Finance Professionals.

After Thursday’s reception and various dinners with company-mates and team mates, conference attendees gathered early Friday morning to kick off the Conference. More than 950 alumnae, alumni, family and friends joined in the festivities. Among the attendees were more than 30 flag and general officers, elected officials, Distinguished Graduate Award Recipients, and USNA AA&F and Board of Trustees Leadership. Admiral Lisa Franchetti (Ret.), the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations, and Ms. Mouza Zumwalt-Weathers, youngest daughter of Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, Jr., the 19th Chief of Naval Operations, were special guests. The conference included six panels and a fireside chat with Admiral Franchetti. Friday included two of the conference’s flagship panels, “Leading Authentically: Stories of How USNA Shaped Our Life” and “Warfighters Answering the Call: Desert Storm to Midnight Hammer.” Both shined a spotlight on the diversity of alumnae experiences in leadership with women who have made their mark in the tech industry, the non-profit sector, and national security circles in the former, and senior women from the Marine Corps, Naval Aviation, Surface and Submarine communities providing their perspectives as battle-proven leaders in the latter. After speaking on the Warfighter panel, Lieutenant General Lori Reynolds (Ret.), USNA ‘86, sat down with Jeannette Gaudry, USNA ‘98, and Jenn Marino, USNA ‘98, to share her thoughts.

Live from the 50th: LtGen Lori Reynolds, USMC (Ret.) ‘86

The day also included breakout panels where attendees could choose between three options: Women in Sports; Stronger Together: Partnering with our Shipmates; and Health and Healing Across All Phases of Life. Each of these panels allowed for a deeper discussion into their respective fields. Throughout the day, classmates, shipmates and friends could be found gathering in the passageways to catch up and tell sea stories.. Community was a common thread – both the community we build through shared experiences and the communities in which we serve, in and out of uniform. Rear Admiral Julius Caesar (Ret.), USNA ‘‘77, shared his thoughts on service and community with Jeannette and Jenn before he joined the Stronger Together panel.

Live from the 50th: RADM Julius Caesar (Ret.) ‘77

Friday afternoon’s sessions ended with a moving memorial to the alumnae who have passed on. The conference was honored to have several Gold Star family members attend the memorial where each lost sister’s name was recognized with a bell rung in her honor. Former members of the Naval Academy Women’s Glee Club sang two verses of Eternal Father, a hymn and prayer for sailors and Marines that traditionally ends Naval Academy religious services and many alumni funerals. Following the song, the attendees were led from the venue by Coreyanne (Rickwalt) Armstrong, USNA ’98, playing her bagpipes. Attendees gathered in front of the Fluegel Alumni Center for the official group photo followed by group pictures for classmates, teammates and other groups. Soon, we dispersed to the formal parade at USNA and to prepare for the evening’s festivities.

Friday evening, the Fluegel Alumni Center transformed from conference center to reception hall. After a beautiful rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner by Jenna Cox-Hadley, USNA ’18, gala remarks were led by LtGen Dave Beydler, USNA ‘81, Annapolis Mayor Jared Littmann, the 78th Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, USNA ‘83, and New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherril, USNA ’94. The black-tie affair featured beautiful gowns, hours of dancing, and a successful auction. In addition to the commemorative quilt, which capped the auction with an $18,000 winning bid, art by alumnae artist Kristin Cronic, USNA ’11, brought in significant winning bids. After the auction the dance floor filled with scores of women who kicked off their shoes and danced until the final hit. The evening ended with Blue and Gold played on the bagpipes and sung by the crowd.

With attendees a bit bleary-eyed from the late-night fun, the conference resumed on Saturday morning. The Sisterhood of Mother B had two important interviews that morning. Admiral Franchetti sat down with us to answer our 50 year questionnaire and to share her reflections on the weekend, and Captain Tasya Lacy, USNA ‘97, energized us with a short look into her life and career.

Live from the 50th: Admiral Lisa Franchetti, (Ret.) CNO 33!

Live from the 50th: CAPT Tasya Lacy (Ret.) ‘97

With our weekend recordings complete, we sat down for the final flagship panel, Alumnae Among the Stars: Out of the World Experiences from NASA Astronauts, and Admiral Franchetti’s fireside chat. Retired Navy Captain Astronauts, Kay Hire, USNA ’81, Wendy Lawrence, USNA ’81, and Suni Williams, USNA ’87, shared informative, entertaining and fun stories that told of their path to the stars, the challenges they faced, and the lessons they learned.

In Saturday’s closing session, Admiral Franchetti answered questions from moderator Vice Admiral Mary Jackson, USNA ’88, with frankness combined with infectious optimism. She reflected on her command philosophy grounded in teamwork, warfighting excellence, safety, and a positive attitude. Her 40 years of warfighting service showed that leading the world’s greatest Navy didn’t alter her values—it affirmed them. Admiral Franchetti was also inducted as an Honorary Class of 2026 USNA Women Alumna, and received a special jacket crafted from the iconic blue magnet blanket (the standard blanket issued to all midshipmen), a symbol that has endured across the five generations of USNA Women.

Following Admiral Franchetti’s chat, the energized conference attendees dispersed until Sunday. Attendees headed, seemingly en masse, to the Naval Academy to shop for gear, attend the track meet, and take photos in Tecumseh Court. One special moment occurred when hundreds of alumnae gathered on the steps leading into the Rotunda for a picture as stragglers rushed from shopping at the Naval Academy Store. Calls reminiscent of life as a midshipman rang out, “Move with a purpose!” And “Waiting on my classmate, ma’am!” followed by laughter from the crowds of women and their family members. After the picture, many headed out to enjoy Annapolis — to St. John’s College, where the annual USNA vs. St. John’s croquet match was in full swing; to the Historic Museum of Annapolis to check out their exhibit on women at the Naval Academy; or to enjoy lunch at one of Annapolis’s many downtown eateries.

On Sunday morning, members of the class of 2026 joined the conference for remarks by Ms. Zumwalt-Weathers on her father’s legacy. Following her remarks, “Links of Legacy,” a special panel on leadership through the decades showcased members of the class of 1986, 1996, 2006, and 2016 who presented their thoughts on leadership and life through the decades of their service. It provided a window into what service can look like – and what is important when you look at that service through the rearview mirror instead of the windscreen ahead. It was a fitting end to a moving and meaningful conference. It celebrated how far the Navy and Marine Corps, the Naval Academy, and the women who call that institution home have come, and also showed the possibilities the future holds.

In the weeks following the event, we interviewed Ms. Zumwalt-Weathers about her family, her experiences, and the weekend. This interview is one of the most moving interviews among so many moving and informative interviews. Later, three members of the Sisterhood of Mother B sat down to process the event together and share our experiences with each other.

After the 50th: Ms. Zumwalt-Weathers

SOMB Reflects on the 50th

As we celebrate our nation and the state of Maryland’s remarkable 250 Years, we are honored to also celebrate the first co-ed class of 1980 joining the Brigade and the 50 years of women who have been fulfilling the mission of the Naval Academy. We look ahead with pride and purpose—knowing the legacy of USNA Women will continue to shape our nation, our Navy and Marine Corps, and the generations who follow.

Caption: Photo credit to Wendy Moynihan. USNA Women’s Commemorative Quilt

Caption: Photo credit to Wendy Moynihan. Leading Authentically: Stories of How USNA Shaped Our Life. From Left to right, moderator Dr. Jill Rough (USNA ’96), Melody Spradlin (USNA ’86), Captain (Ret.) Timi Lindsay (USNA ’92), Becky Quinlan (USNA ’97), and Kate Arrizza (USNA ’04).

Caption: Photo credit to Wendy Moynihan. Warfighters Answering the Call: Desert Storm to Midnight Hammer. Left to Right: Rear Admiral (Ret.) Cynthia “Cindy” Thebaud (USNA ’85), Vice Admiral (Ret.) Sara “Clutch” Joyner (USNA ’89), Moderator Dr. Susan (Fink) Yoshihara, PhD (USNA ’86), Lieutenant General (Ret.) Loretta “Lori” Reynolds (USNA ’86), Lieutenant Commander Andrea Howard (USNA ’15).

Caption: Photo credit to Wendy Moynihan. Stronger Together: Partnering with our Shipmates. Left to Right: Brad Snyder (USNA ’06), Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Anthony “Tony” Verducci (USNA ’80), Grant Vermeer (USNA ’17), Dr./Captain (Ret.) David Smith (USNA ’87), and Rear Admiral (Ret.) Julius Caesar (USNA ’77).

Caption: Photo credit to Wendy Moynihan. Decorations for the Gala

Caption: Photo credit to Wendy Moynihan. Left to right, Captain (Ret.) Suni Williams (USNA ’87) , Rear Admiral (Ret.) Margaret “Peg” Klein (USNA ’81), Captain (Ret.) Wendy Lawrence (USNA ’81), and Captain (Ret.) Katherine “Kay” Hire (USNA ’81) prepare for their panel, Alumni Among the Stars.

Caption: Photo credit to Wendy Moynihan. Vice Admiral Mary Jackson (Ret.) interviews Admiral Lisa Franchetti (Ret.)