STUTTGART, Germany - Susan Kellet-Forsyth arrived at the U.S. Military Academy wearing a red jumpsuit and platform shoes.
It was 1976, and she was one of the first 119 female cadets to enter West Point after Congress authorized the admission of women to the federal service academies in 1975.
"I was clueless. I had no idea what I was getting myself into," said Kellet-Forsyth.
The longtime Stuttgart Military Community member shared her personal history at the U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart's Women's History Observance held March 20.
Kellet-Forsyth was a freshman at the University of Hawaii when she got a phone call from the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor at her high school. "He told me they were letting women into West Point and would I like to go. I said, 'Hey, why not,'" she told the audience.
She was not from a military family, nor had she had any military experience. But she was strong academically, excelled in sports and had participated in student government. In other words, she was perfect cadet material.
However, the thought of relieving her parents from paying tuition was more important than any idea that she was making history.
During cadet basic training in the summer of 1976, Kellet-Forsyth and the other first-year cadets worked together on Soldier skills, military drill and ceremonies and physical fitness. As the summer progressed, the women cadets were accepted by their male counterparts and leaders. But when school started "we were greeted by a surprisingly hostile crowd," said Kellet-Forsyth.
"It was such a shock to me - to have people hate me because of my sex," she said. "But I was adamant in my belief that women had every right to be part of the military academy, and subsequently, the Army."
Kellet-Forsyth was quick to point out that she does not feel that her time at West Point was unbearable. "It wasn't. It was challenging on many levels - personally, academically and physically. But, it was a matter of just taking it a step at a time."
In 1980, Kellet-Forsyth and 61 other women graduated and were commissioned as military officers. Kellet-Forsyth entered the Signal Corps.
She went on to earn a master's degree at the School of Advanced Military Studies - the only woman in her class. She also attended Command and General Staff College and served as a planner for the First Infantry Division.
Kellett-Forsyth retired as an Army major after 16 years of service. In 2003, she earned a doctorate in organizational leadership.
These days, she is the Swabian representative for American Women's Activities, Germany, the president of the BAfAPblingen Elementary/Middle School Parent Teacher Association and a board member of American War Memorials Overseas, an organization that preserves non-government supported war memorials honoring Americans outside of U.S.
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