A 20-year-old at West Point has become the first black woman to reach the academy’s top cadet position

In this Aug. 3, 2017, image provided by the U.S. Army, West Point Cadet Simone Askew poses for a photo. Askew is making history as the first black woman to lead the Long Grey Line at the U.S. Military Academy. She will be responsible for the overall performance of the roughly 4,400 cadets at West Point. (Austin Lachance/U.S. Army via AP)

0 Votes

Simone Askew is making history as the first black woman to lead the Long Grey Line at the U.S. Military Academy.

Videos by Rare

The 20-year-old international history major from Fairfax, Va., assumed duties Monday as first captain of the 4,400-member Corps of Cadets. That’s the highest position in the cadet chain of command at West Point.

RELATED: This photo of a teary West Point cadet is going viral, but his story of triumph will move you even more

After a 12-mile march Monday morning with 1,200 new cadets she led in basic training, Askew said it’s humbling but exciting to step into a new opportunity to lead the corps to greatness along with her team.

Her advice to other young women aspiring to leadership roles is to seek mentorship and make themselves “vessels to be poured into.”

Pat Locke, one of two black women in the first class of women to graduate from West Point in 1980, says Askew is a terrific role model.

Pam Askew, Simone’s mother, adds that her daughter is a natural leader.

What do you think?

0 Points
Upvote Downvote

A Rare look at the U.S. Presidents: Andrew Jackson

NFL player announces that he will once again sit out the national anthem