Sydney Barber

Sydney Barber is the first black female brigade commander at the naval academy. In the academy’s 175-year history, women were only first accepted into the class of 1980, and she is the 16th woman selected for brigade commander since that time. She beat out of 30 competitors for the top leadership position. What stands out about her is the fact that she competed in a heavily competitive environment to get into her current position, and that it’s been 175 years since a black woman has gotten to a position that high. Her participation efforts that led to her becoming a strong leader came from her inspiration of other strong female role models in her life. She has many side achievements such as being on the Women’s varsity Track and Field team, co-president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club, and secretary of the National Society of Black Engineers. She also initiated a STEM outreach program for mentoring middle school girls of color in science, technology, engineering and math. Not only is she a role model to girls interested in the maritime field but to girls everywhere.

• Haley Reyes, Junior