U.S. Naval Academy names first Black female brigade commander

Senior Sydney Barber will be the first Black woman to serve as brigade commander in the Naval Academy's 175 year history. Brigade commander is the highest leadership position within the student body. "CBS This Morning Saturday" co-host Michelle Miller talked to Barber about the achievement.

[@Jon-br8co]

As an Asian-American man, I am thrilled! Americans comes in all shapes, sizes and colors. That is our strength! Congratulation Sydney Barber.

[@sawittwo]

💯

[@howellwong11]

My OCS graduation class in 1956 had about 700 graduates. We had only one black, two Chinese and three part Hawaiians. I was one of the part Hawaiians. The rest was white. Times have changed.

[@asianangel5400]

What a great accomplishment. Im so very happy for this occasion.

[@brendadishaw9273]

It's about time. Congrats !!!

[@cald1421]

Wow! That sounds historic to me. But I’m confused why the leftists are celebrating. Guys, can you tell me what a woman is? If not then how could this possibly be historic for you??

[@sharronward4748]

Outstanding and very inspirational. Congratulations to Sydney Barber!!

[@MarcosIsABaritone]

Wow. She's fantastic.

[@michellehood3345]

FINALLY...Black women are finally getting our due..!!! Look at the statistics...African American woman are among the most heavily educated in the nation...it gives me hope for myself and my beautiful daughter...!!! Thank you Lord for letting us be SEEN!!!!🐣

[@cald1421]

Wow! That sounds historic to me. But I’m confused why the leftists are celebrating. Guys, can you tell me what a woman is? If not then how could this possibly be historic for you??

[@jkornfeld]

I'd love to see an update on how she's doing in the fleet.

[@heartcorealchemist6774]

I am just now seeing this but it is never too late to congratulate someone for a job well done. Blessings to you in all you do and thank you for being auch a bright and rich light in life!

[@gwlgmdk]

Go for the STARS be BLESS ALWAYS

[@aden6145]

YES!!! Proud of her

[@reyesfamily6050]

Awesome!!! God bless you!

[@bobbolan4672]

Great day for OUR COUNTRY!

[@mrs.sherry]

Congrats girl!!

[@prophetessvirginiaconey1853]

Congratulations BEAUTIFUL QUEEN

[@worstcaseofcrabsever5510]

I didn't know she was trans! thanks for letting us know! I can see it now that you said it.

[@Soldierboy1986]

I love hearing of history being made, instead of history being erased, and at this point, we cannot be ignored, nor can we be dismissed!

[@Vinnafetish]

Congratulations. 🥰

[@gabrielsamson8142]

God bless you Sydney Barber. Congratulation with your achievement. Think of those who are stand beside you, love and respect is a blessing your road for the future.

[@visibleactions8220]

Amazing!

[@missmsmrs.7309]

Bravo indeed! What an INSPIRATION!

[@Renould2010]

Congratulations, Naval- Commander, Sydney 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💎👑🎊🎉🍀☘️💙🤍.

[@melindagraves5212]

Bravo, Ms. Barber!

[@ChiTownGoatMontana5]

Yeah but it’s crazy it took this long for this to actually finally happen

[@joan-mariacbrooks]

Sydney, you ARE history! Congratulations and I wish you the very best in your career.

[@banzy5387]

Awesome…you are marked in history 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@slodzinskithomas2406]

Wow she is an amazing woman

[@thetotaltruth948]

She is very inspirational. I know she will continue to push herself to greatness. GO NAVY!! BEAT (the brakes off of) ARMY!!

[@victorwilliams1304]

Congratulations Ma'am!!!!!!

[@user-uh5tb9er4o]

awesome!!

[@akumaclardy5821]

Congrats Sis!

[@Insulindependantfati]

Awesome achievement!

[@kukluxklan1137]

That ship is the one that goes on the front in the next war

[@michellehood3345]

Well...we will pray that God carries her and those with her...so the ones who wish her harm will drop their mouths open in disbelief...-!!

[@markettradinggenius]

Congratulations Sydney. Blacks, for the history of this country, have come a longs ways and the party is just starting !!! An avalanche is now just beginning to roll....

[@iamaze6218]

Congrats 🍾

[@truthhurts8819]

Excellent

[@mitzibud6908]

very inspiring!

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Thank you for sharing.

[@christopherWilliams-yo6rg]

Outstanding!!

[@rubyjohnsonhearn9046]

Congratulations...👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🙏❤🙂🙏❤

[@jackieanderson9408]

Congratulations 🎉👏

[@toyabrock9519]

Congratulation 🙏🏾❤️

[@laurahill6778]

Congratulations that is so wonderful. Thank you so much for your service to our country. My heart just swells which story for you. God bless you.

[@dj7duece]

Congratulations Shipmate!!! Keep pushing! #20year #navet

[@dillonohlemiller9027]

I honestly thought that was Rihanna in the thumbnail lol

[@peek-a-boo6217]

Congratulations.... Best Wishes Commander!

[@kimberlysmith258]

Congratulations!!

[@briangrandy7316]

Congrats 🇺🇸

[@tyronejohnson9973]

EXCELLENT & EXCELLENCE

[@RIP19851]

Congrats

[@chrisa3249]

Congratulations❤

[@bigdaddyrat7854]

Hers is a life well lived. Never underestimate yourself.

[@directorytaliwag4100]

I salute you.

[@HopeHelpHealing3]

God bless her ability that she credited God and her brother

[@whatuptone]

Much support... GO Navy

[@ernestclinkscales9166]

Congrats young lady

[@nfloldman8907]

Bout to be some mad you know what’s 😂

[@michaelmartinis6207]

Congratulations

[@billwong7420]

It is about time, and times had come❤

[@tss77]

Congratulations! what an Inspiration for others to follow.

[@bvl98]

Congratulations and proud of you.👍

[@yvesarmand]

congratulations

[@redlegs7426]

Congratulations where’s the story?

[@OldSalior44]

well she earned it and I unexpect great things from her after graduation!

[@darleneharrison6437]

EXCELLENT 👍

[@mofo7689]

Kara Hultgreen was also a Navy Academy standout. She became an aviator. Callsign Revlon, she was also killed in a well known carrier ramp strike. Her training was inadequate and she was pushed through the training program that ultimately cost the lives of both NFOs in her aircraft. Shannon Falkner (1975) was another standout at the Citadel. JAG daddy pushed to get her admitted as the first woman cadet. Ultimately, she didn't last 1 week failing to prepare for the physical demands she knew was well over months ahead of her.

[@Pou1gie1]

Call Sign Revlon was the name of the book about Kara (not another person) -- apparently you just Googled a bunch of stuff to fuel your misogynistic tirade about how women are not qualified in comparison to men, according to you. Maybe you should pay more attention while Googling. By your own admission, FaUlkner (not Falkner) was ushered in through connections. Both these Yt women you cherry picked from the 10s of thousands may not have been qualified, but I'm very sure we could all cherry pick male examples too. Janet Days AND Sydney Barber are two Black women who are being recognized for becoming firsts in the military, and as Black women they got there through grit and determination.

[@anglophils645]

You're right, in that no one should be accepted or promoted, by any school or organization, simply to achieve a demographic goal. However, many people throughout history have been held back from opportunities for which they are well-qualified, based on demographic prejudices, which is also wrong. I am a 66 year old white female, well-educated. But in the 1980's, I had several prospective employers say to my face, "You are clearly well-qualified for the job opening that we have at our company. But I am not sure that our organization is ready for a woman in that position.". You don't know what it feels like, to be rejected for an opportunity , for reasons that you cannot control, such as gender, race, ethnic background, etc., unless you've experienced it. I am so glad that our American society has made great strides against these prejudices, and we are stronger for it. I have had a successful, fulfilling business career, but it was tough to gain acceptance in my chosen field, at first, simply because I am female. People resist change out of fear, and it takes time to overcome it.

[@mofo7689]

@@Pou1gie1 2 West Point women graduates were PUSHED through the Army Ranger program; with lower standard confirmed by the Range cadre teaching the school. Revlon was pushed through her training program as a result of the command forced to support affirmative action. She had no business driving the plane while the command leadership was forced to reflect "the right personnel numbers". Those 2 examples are for military personnel that went through schools of much higher standards and were not able to handle the greater pressures of their positions. * Those 2 black women, as you call them, arrived to their status via affirmative action quotas. Women want to spotlight accomplishments, they will get the scrutiny going with it. 30 yrs of military experience observing these type of actions.

[@tommymitchell2306]

Salute!

[@superchick4994]

Praise the Lord.

[@supreme6531]

Blacks rising for their rights, education is the key.

[@nateasonjames]

"We just want equal treatment"

[@lgonzalez1154]

brings a whole new way to "stand at attention" lol

[@rochellek5327]

So proud👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@Justin_Kline_223]

Let’s see if she leads from the front like a commander is supposed to do or will she pass the buck to the enlisted. I’ll wait

[@nismofury]

Now is this because of capability and aptitude or just because of optics? 🤔

[@sherronmitchell3977]

NismoFury who cares?

[@Justin_Kline_223]

It’s optics

[@billjones3497]

@Queen Lewis it’s ok. He probably thinks draft dodger Trump is an American hero. This woman is 100x the patriot Trump is.

[@sheiswhitney]

If it was optics they could've done it in any of the last 175 years or made optics by any white woman cadet in the last 43 years since being Co-ed. With her accomplishments and accolades, she is capable and obviously willing.

[@doxoxo779]

Where you worried about capability when trumptard was put in office?

[@mofo7689]

Here goes the social media stupidity. How about Midshipman Barber being an exceptional student and leader, was selected as the Brigade Commander. Who by the way, will be the first black woman in the USNA history. Now, is her career going to be based on resting on this notoriety or will she go on to perform as a NORMAL officer in her field?

[@straydog2002]

Shut up dude!

[@tertersha8796]

"When she ordered the drone strike on my village, I was so proud because she was the first woman of colour to bomb a wedding in my country"- villager in third world country

[@spicysuace328]

That’s it racism is gone

[@Jon-br8co]

I hoped that true but this country has deep hate so not just yet. We'll get there, I'm betting everything on it. God bless America!

[@michellehood3345]

😂

[@gotmula760]

Congrats Glory to GOD

[@kindramassaline7402]

She’s 23 years old 😮😮😮 now

[@sharoncox3734]

Congratulations Beautiful 😍 Sister! Praying God's protection over you! 🙏🏽❤Beautiful news!

[@HODATKHO]

her salary is go up

[@user-tw3cc9jm8k]

Interesting news!

[@shaunw.1173]

It's true. The most attractive women in our military are either in the Navy, Marines, and/or Air Force.

[@rougethereatics3292]

I'm not American anyway seriously congrats to her and God I got confession to make she is beautiful no denying to that i got a big crush on her...

[@Vanessa30033]

❤❤❤❤

[@joserobertovillela5492]

GOD BLESS MOHAMED ALI AND HIS SISTER COMMANDER LADY JAJA 😂❤❤

[@AppleAbston]

Yasssssssssssssss

oorah that commander xx

[@eugeneflintroy5555]

Why was it necessary to mention her race, but a white female race was not mention when she was the first to lead a unii. All was said first female to do it.

[@cccc8643]

nice. can we find all the missing 150000 black females PER YEAR now?!

[@bristephens9642]

❤

[@patrickserna7309]

Black women helping black women to succeed. A better story would be if a black woman helped a white male midshipman to succeed. --Martin Serna (no anonymity here)

[@straydog2002]

They have privileges, over 170 are you serious?

[@sailordude50]

Glad Im not serving under her in charge

[@PaulWilson-ts7ip]

HELLOWURLD...!!!

[@kingslate1]

At 21yrs old? Is the Navy sure she experienced & ready

[@PokuSellRealestate]

She bad

[@bo2.4u6]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@foolmenow00]

I'm just glad she's a Black woman and not an Afr. AMERICAN woman! Evidently, she and her ignorant (not stupid) family doesn't think there's a problem being referred to, innacurately, by having brown skin but changed to black, anyway. VP Kamala Harris has same skin color as her Caucasian husband. What a joke all of these people are including media. Only in U.S. is skin color reference mandated. Is there any country called blackland or pale, er whiteland? They all do this to separate each other. We all have same body parts and, evidently, sinful nature to hate each other. Do to/treat others as you would have them do to/treat you. It's a shame when we're no longer human beings but a skin color which becomes our I D.

[@EnriquePascual1989]

👏🏽😭🤧😭🥳

[@tru853]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@FloridaMan69.]

I'm proud being white

[@Darcsied27]

I’m black and I’m happy that you are proud to be you.

[@dobbysboggart6883]

I'm neither proud nor ashamed of being white. We're all the human race, with a diversity of skin colors, hair colors, eye colors, eye shapes, and ear shapes.

[@Jon-br8co]

I'm Asian and good for you.

[@Jon-br8co]

@@dobbysboggart6883 Seriously... You think if Florida Man was blind he would care so much about his color?

[@louiswhite805]

Hi beautiful 😍, congratulations!