Black women making history is one of my favorite things in the world, and last week, Virginia native Simone Askew made history after she was selected as first captain of West Point’s Corps of Cadets for the upcoming academic year.
Askew, who is an international history major at West Point, will begin her duties in the highest position in the cadet chain of command on Aug. 14.
“Simone truly exemplifies our values of duty, honor, country,” Brig. Gen. Steven W. Gilland, commandant of cadets, said in a release. “Her selection is a direct result of her hard work, dedication and commitment to the corps over the last three years.”
Askew currently leads 1,502 cadets as the regimental commander of Cadet Basic Training II. As first captain, she will be responsible for the overall performance of more than 4,000 cadets, the release notes. She is also tasked with acting as a liaison between the corps and West Point’s administration, as well as implementing a class agenda.
