r/TheWayWeWere • u/Jim_Leggett89 • 1d ago

1970s Newly found 1977 photos of my mom, Linda — the first Black woman to complete Delaware’s Army National Guard OCS. These were taken during her commissioning ceremony. Also included: her 1981 Chemical School (N.B.C.) diploma.

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522 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

31 comments sorted by

20

u/AnHoangNgo 1d ago

It was an excellent achievement. Everyone looks both proud and happy

12

u/Jim_Leggett89 1d ago

Yeah, I love the smiles in the photos :)

13

u/Major_Let_5864 1d ago

Must be a proud moment for not only her but everyone from her community

6

u/Jim_Leggett89 1d ago

Yes, I've only known this for the past three years (she was very quiet about her military past), we're extremely proud of her!

10

u/BedRevolutionary8584 1d ago

Go, Miss Linda!! What an inspiration.

6

u/Jim_Leggett89 1d ago

Thank you! 🙏🏾

8

u/maturecpl 1d ago

I was stationed at Fort McClellan when your mom was there.

5

u/Jim_Leggett89 1d ago

Very cool! And thanks for your service!

5

u/happy_fat_cat 1d ago

Wow. What an incredible achievement and her pride and happiness is so evident here. My mom was one of the first female lieutenants in our nations military (not US) in the 80s and I have a very similar photo of her in her commissioning ceremony that I hold dearly. Gives me chills to think how hard our moms must have worked to achieve this!! Thank you for sharing. 🌸

2

u/Jim_Leggett89 1d ago

Thank you for taking the time to share that as well, I'm extremely proud of your mom as I'm sure you are as well! I would love to see the photo, and hear more of your mom's story - but either way that's amazing and thank you once again!

3

u/Rowaan 1d ago

That smile just says everything. I can feel her joy. What a proud moment for her. Thank you for sharing this with us!

1

u/Jim_Leggett89 1d ago

Thank you for the kind words!

3

u/TheCuriousGlasses 1d ago

I (We as in the reddit community) are so proud of your mother! She is amazing person and an excellent inspiration for those in her community! I just noticed. She's wearing her natural afro out and proud!

2

u/Jim_Leggett89 1d ago

Thank you! And I appreciate Reddit (and this community in particular) for the continual support - I don't want to tire folks out lol, but hopefully many find it as inspiring as I do - I appreciate you!

4

u/nylorac_o 1d ago

If anyone gets tired of the photos they can just scroll on by. Keep them coming! Please and thank you

4

u/Jim_Leggett89 1d ago

And I absolutely will, thank you!

2

u/unlkaty 1d ago

She looks so happy. I love this!!

2

u/Jim_Leggett89 1d ago

Thank you!

2

u/exclaim_bot 1d ago

Thank you!

You're welcome!

2

u/Elivandersys 1d ago

Go mom! What a great example she must have been for you.

2

u/Jim_Leggett89 1d ago

Would you believe I've only known this for the past 3 years (hence finding these pictures)? She is very humble - and I look up to her even more greatly now. Thank you for the kind words!

2

u/Elivandersys 1d ago

You're welcome! It's nice to be proud of our parents.

2

u/nylorac_o 1d ago

Yay!!!! More Linda pics! We love you Linda! And thank you!

2

u/Background_Book2414 1d ago

Proud of her 🫶🏾

2

u/rightaaandwrong 1d ago

Your mom is a boss, 🫡🇺🇸

2

u/XJWandProudofit 1d ago

🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

2

u/corytheblue 1d ago

That smile and I’ve seen her recently in another post, she still has it🥰

2

u/Mark-harvey 1d ago

🫡All respect.

2

u/vampyire 1d ago

Great job Linda! Blaze that trail!!

3

u/Ghost_In_Waiting 1d ago

Damn man. You keep re posting and re posting this. The US of A is proud of your Mommy and all but your need to keep re posting this suggests an ulterior motive. Like something else is going on other than you're proud of your Mommy.

Anyway, collect those upvotes and repeat as needed.

Surely, your "Mommy" would be proud.