Brenda Sue Fulton Biography

Brenda S. "Sue" Fulton is a 1980 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, a member of the Academy's first class to admit women. She commissioned in the Army as a signal officer, serving as both a platoon leader and company commander in Germany before receiving an honorable discharge at the rank of Captain.

During her ensuing years in the private sector, Fulton worked briefly with the Campaign for Military Service (later SLDN), supporting Bill Clinton's efforts to overturn the ban on gay service. These efforts failed, leading to the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

After the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2009, Fulton served as a founding board member of Knights Out, an organization of LGBT West Point graduates, and later OutServe, the association of actively-serving LGBT military members. In those roles, she advocated for repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and worked closely with the Pentagon on implementation of the repeal. She is still active in Knights Out, and currently serves as President of SPARTA, an LGBT military group advocating for transgender military service.

Fulton was among the more than 75 USMA women alumni who attended the first Ranger School graduation to include women, calling the moment as important as her classmates' own graduation from West Point.

In 2011, President Obama appointed Fulton to the West Point Board of Visitors, making her the first openly gay person to serve as a board member in its history. She spoke as part of a three-person panel at the first-ever LGBT pride event held at the Pentagon, where she discussed her experiences in the Army and at West Point.

In 2013, Fulton openly challenged Academy leadership on its handling of cadet misconduct, specifically related to sexual harassment and assault. Her tenure has been marked by increased diversity in entering classes, with higher percentages of African-American, Latino, and women cadets.

In 2012, Fulton and Penelope Dara Gnesin became the first couple to be married in a same-sex marriage at the U.S. Military Academy's Cadet Chapel at West Point (not to be confused with the Old Cadet Chapel). They currently live in Asbury Park, NJ.

In 2015, Fulton was elected chairperson of the Board of Visitors at West Point, making her the first woman graduate to hold that position.

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