The University of North Georgia (UNG) is about to hit the 50-year anniversary of the first women joining its Corps of Cadets. UNG became the first of the nation’s six senior military colleges to have women in its corps on Sept. 16, 1973, four days before Virginia Tech.
Susan Harris, Jean Raines and Janet Walls were the first female cadets, and Walls was the first to commission as an Army officer from UNG.
Colleen Cannington Bryant, ’78, started a year after the initial trio and commissioned before spending four years in the active-duty Army and 16 years in the Army Reserve. Bryant also had a long career in education through both teaching and school administration. Even now, her experience as one of UNG’s first female cadets is something she brings up with her family.
“I want to make sure my own daughter and my granddaughter understand there should be no barriers to what you want to accomplish,” Bryant said.
The full story of this history making event can be found here Corps hits 50 years since first women (ung.edu)