575/17/2019
The United States Military Academy at West Point will see a historic number of African-American women graduate this year. The Philadelphia Tribune reports that 32 African-American women will cross the stage later this month. They are the largest group in the institution's 216-year history. West Point was founded in 1802, but an African American cadet didn’t graduate from the academy until 1877, the Tribune reported. To memorialize the achievement, the 2019 graduates participated in the traditional Old Corps photoshoot, according Because of Them We Can, a website dedicated to sharing inspiring stories of “black excellence.” Last year, Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams made history as the first black officer to command West Point, and in 2017, Simone Askew became the first black woman to lead West Point cadets.