Written by Justun Dorsey, Education and Outreach Coordinator
Sgt. Maj. Kelly (center) in 1972 getting promoted to her new rank by Brig. Gen. Jack T. Pink (right), director of enlisted personnel in Washington. Kelly’s mother, Maxie D. Kelly (left), assisted in the ceremony.
Mildred Catherine Kelly made history when she became the first Black woman to achieve the rank of Sergeant Major in the United States Army in 1972 and again in 1974 when she became the first Black woman to reach Command Sergeant Major in a major Army installation. With her career spanning more than two decades of service, she made an incredible impact during an era marked by the integration of the armed forces, the expansion of opportunities for women, and ongoing struggles against racial and gender discrimination. Kelly’s rise in rank was not only a personal achievement, but also a milestone in the broader story of equality and leadership in the U.S. military.
Early Life and Entry into Service
Kelly was born on January 24th, 1928, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Like many Black individuals of her generation, she came of age at a time when both civilian society and the military offered limited options for people of color, especially Black women.
Directly after graduating high school, she went on to study at Knoxville College, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and mathematics. After teaching high school for a year, she took the military entrance exam along with some friends. While she had no real intention of joining, she found herself to be the only one in attendance on reporting day. From here, she made the decision to enlist in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in 1950 during the Korean War. At the time, the military had only recently begun the process of racial integration following President Harry Truman’s 1948 Executive Order 9981. Although legal segregation was ending, many Black servicemembers still encountered unequal treatment, limited assignments, and fewer opportunities for advancement. For Black women, these barriers were compounded by gender restrictions that confined them largely to administrative, clerical, or support roles.
Making History in a Changing Army
In 1972, Kelly was promoted to Sergeant Major while working at the Pentagon. Two years later, in 1974, she was promoted to Command Sergeant Major (CSM) during her service at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. As a CSM, Kelly served as the senior enlisted advisor to commanders. She was responsible for supervising servicemembers and providing guidance on their training and well-being during the Army’s reorganization following the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.
Her promotion was historic not only because of her intersectionality, but also because it placed her in a position of influence at a time when the Army was expanding roles for women and working to build a more professional and inclusive force.
Command Sgt. Maj. Kelly with fellow CSMs during her promotion to Women’s Army Corps CSM.
Leaving a Legacy
Command Sgt. Maj. Kelly retired from the Army in 1976 after 26 years of service. She continued to support Veterans through advocacy work with organizations including the Maryland Veterans Commission, Veterans Advisory Board, and the National Association of Black Military Women. She was also the past president of Chapter 16 of the WAC Veterans Association. Through her time spent with the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, she played a key role in the eventual creation of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, also known as the Women’s Memorial in Washington, D.C.,
Her influence continues to be recognized in the communities connected to her service. On July 8th, 2025, a community park in Edgewood, Maryland, was named in her honor. Located on the former site of military housing for Aberdeen Proving Ground, the park has various features, including military-themed playground amenities. It provides a space for families to enjoy outside while preserving the area’s military heritage and honoring Kelly’s impact.
She passed away on January 27th, 2003, at the age of 75 after battling cancer. She is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Section 67, Site 4601. She was given full military honors at her funeral. Her career left a legacy, not only for Black women, but for all servicemembers who benefited from the expanding possibilities she helped shape.
Command Sgt. Maj. Kelly with Brig. Gen. Alvin D. Ungerleider, commander of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, during her retirement ceremony in 1976.
