News
Celebrating 50 Years of Women Attending USMMA: NYSE Opening Bell
CAPT Francis Yates, ’78, USNR, joined by John Tuttle, NYSE Vice Chairman & President, NYSE Institute, on the podium with several current Midshipmen and other women graduates to celebrate 50 years of women at USMMA
Fifty years ago next week, the first class of women began their education at a federal service academy. It was the lesser-known U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) that broke this glass ceiling, and on July 5, Wall Street commemorated this historic moment for the nation.
Televised live on CNBC, women alumnae and current Midshipmen from every decade joined CAPT Frances Yates ’78, a graduate of that groundbreaking class, as she rang the iconic bell on the New York Stock Exchange to open Friday’s trading.
July 5th was also Indoctrination Day, the first day the incoming Plebe Class of 2028 began their four-year journey at USMMA, including 61 young women. Each one of these new students was also nominated by a member of Congress. These Midshipmen have now committed themselves to the nation and, immediately upon graduation, will fill a vital role in our military sealift and national defense.
Please see here for photos and a video of the bell ringing.