From the News & Observer of Raleigh:
More than 30 years ago, when she joined the North Carolina National Guard, Elizabeth Dickens Austin saw no woman with a generalís rank, and probably didnít anticipate sheíd ever see one. Now, however, other women in the Guard will no longer feel that way, because Austin recently became the first female brigadier general in the history of the organization.
Austin started her career in maintenance facilities and worked her way through the ranks ó a lot of work indeed.
Upon the occasion of her promotion, Austin lingered little on the issue of gender, though sheíd have been entitled. The ěglass ceilingî that exists for women in many aspects of public and private life has also existed, at least to some degree, in the military. Many of those glass ceilings in the corporate world and in public service have, fortunately, been shattered (Does the name Beverly Perdue ring a bell?), and the Guard is following.
Austin talked, after her rank was raised, about her focus to ěmake sure our soldiers have the training and equipment they need to serve the people of North Carolina.î Her new duties will include advising Adjutant Gen. Gregory Lusk, Guard commander, on all matters and working on recruiting and retention and equal employment.
Sheís also been in a civil service position as director of logistics for the Guard, a challenging task that has to do with making sure supplies and equipment reach the troops.
Austin lacked a role model in terms of a general with whom she could identify in every way, so she created her own. Now others will have that model in her.