Seven African-American female service members who made history

Annie E. Graham

Female African-American Marines were absent in the early 1940s until 1949 when Annie E. Graham became the first African-American woman to join the Marine Corps.

“It was a great thing,” said retired Master Gunnery Sgt. Nathaniel R. Hosea, a former Montford Point Marine. After joining the Marine Corps, Anne E. Lamb also enlisted the following day. Then in 1950, Anne Grimes followed, becoming the third African-American female to join.