On May 21, 1997, Claudia Kennedy, a Kappa Delta, became the first woman to hold the rank of three-star general in the United States Army. Kennedy attended Southwestern at Memphis, now known as Rhodes College, where she majored in philosophy. After graduating in 1969, she was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Women’s Army Corps. She retired as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Army Intelligence in 2000.
She received many awards and decorations during her 31 years of service. These include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Staff Identification Badge and the Living Legacy Patriot Award.
Kennedy has served as a Rhodes College Trustee since 2000. She wrote Generally Speaking: A Memoir by the First Woman Promoted to Three-Star General in the United States Army which was published in 2008.
