By Erika Norton, WPAOG Senior Multimedia Journalist 

On the evening of July 7, 2026, graduates from across the Long Gray Line gathered virtually to celebrate a milestone that transformed the United States Military Academy forever: the 50th anniversary of the day women first entered the Corps of Cadets.

Hosted by Donna Brazil ’83, the online celebration honored the 119 women of the Class of 1980 who entered West Point on R-Day in 1976 and recognized the generations of women who have followed in their footsteps.

“Tonight, we pause to celebrate, to honor, and to acknowledge the women that took that first step on July 7, 1976,” Brazil said. “In doing so, they made it possible for the more than 6,000 women who’ve come behind them. Ladies, we will forever be grateful to you, and we acknowledge that we stand on your shoulders tonight.”

The event brought together graduates spanning multiple generations, reflecting on five decades of achievement while looking toward the future of leadership at West Point.

Another historic moment took place just days earlier during Reception Day for the Class of 2030. For the first time, women from the Class of 1980 participated in WPAOG’s 50-Year Affiliation Program, welcoming and mentoring the newest cadets as part of a tradition that has strengthened the Long Gray Line for more than two decades.

Representing the Class of 1980, Andrea Hollen ’80—the first woman to receive a West Point diploma—delivered the evening’s keynote remarks, centering her message on humility, leadership, and the collective accomplishments of her classmates. She began by honoring the memory of her roommate and classmate, COL (R) Shelly Ashworth Richardson ’80, whose innovations in Army logistics improved readiness and the quality of life for military families around the world.

Hollen quoted Richardson: “The Army is a great institution, a learning institution. We don’t always get it right, but for the majority of those who serve, their hearts are in the right place. Sometimes one just has to remind everyone that we’re all on the same team, working in the interest of national security and for the good of the nation. Men and women can both do that proudly.”

Reflecting on the Class of 1980, Hollen said that navigating those pioneering years shaped a generation of leaders whose influence extends far beyond the military. 

“We are warriors with 27 general officers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, scholars, scientists, faith community leaders, and yes, even astronauts,” Hollen said. “We are a remarkably accomplished class, and across all those stories I have traced one common thread…we all learn to lead with humility. And I know that humility may seem like an odd quality to highlight, and some may misconstrue humility as a sign of weakness, but it is in fact a sign of great strength.” 

Rather than viewing humility as weakness, Hollen described it as the strength to challenge assumptions, elevate others, seek common ground, and build trust—qualities she believes are increasingly essential as military leaders confront emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

“We need more and more leaders who instinctively say, ‘Yes, if…’ instead of ‘Well, no, because,’” Hollen said, quoting classmate BG (R) Anne MacDonald ’80, the first woman to command an Army Aviation Brigade.

Closing the program, West Point Association of Graduates President and CEO COL (R) Mark Bieger ’91 reflected on the remarkable growth of women in the Corps of Cadets since 1976.

He noted that the Class of 1980 graduated 62 women, while the recently graduated Class of 2026 included 219 women. Across the past 50 years, 6,809 women have graduated from West Point, now comprising approximately 12 percent of the Long Gray Line.

Perhaps most symbolic, Bieger said, was another number: 301. That is the number of women who entered West Point on R-Day with the Class of 2030 just one week before the anniversary celebration.

“They’re following in your footsteps and in the path that everyone gathered here tonight set,” Bieger said before inviting participants to raise a glass. “As we reflect on the past five decades, we honor not only these amazing trailblazing women, but also the lasting impact of their contributions to West Point, the Army, and our nation.”

Participants around the world then joined together in a virtual toast before closing the evening with a special video slideshow featuring a recording of the West Point Alma Mater, performed by more than 400 women during the Athena’s Arena Conference earlier this year.

Fifty years after women first marched through Thayer Gate as new cadets, the celebration served as both a tribute to those pioneers and a reminder that their legacy continues to grow with every new class that joins the Corps of Cadets.