U.S. Air Force Academy

One of the goals of the women's movement in the United States, from its beginnings during the late 19th century to the present day, has been equality in the workplace. In the military, officers who have had the benefit of a service academy education (at West Point, Annapolis, or the Air Force Academy) traditionally have a competitive edge when it comes time for promotions or consideration for desirable jobs. Until 1976 none of the service academies accepted women as cadets, which posed a problem for women who wanted to make a career in the military. At the academies, cadets not only learned the tools of their trade, but they also made important friendships that would help them later in their careers. Without this opportunity for ...