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California National Guard's new leader breaks racial, gender barriers
Brigadier General Mary Kight.
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TSgt. Loeffler/calgaurd.ca.gov
)
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California National Guard's new leader breaks racial, gender barriers
California National Guard's new leader breaks racial, gender barriers
Brigadier General Mary J. Kight was sworn in this week as the new adjutant general of the California National Guard.
Kight is the first woman to lead the state's national guard and the first African American woman to lead the National Guard in any state.
Kight told KPCC she doesn't think her gender and race will have any effect on how she approaches the position.
"I do believe, however, that it's obviously noticed and I do believe that perhaps some people will be encouraged to move forward in their career; but I believe that what is recognized are the abilities in my background that I bring to the table to share with other members of the team," said Kight.
Kight said the guard is ready to handle major disasters in California, despite having guardsmembers stationed overseas and along the U.S.-Mexico border. Kight replaces Gen. William Wade, who is leaving to help command a North Atlantic Treaty Organization force in Italy.
(Audio: KPCC's Alex Cohen spoke with Brigadier General Mary Kight, the new adjutant general of the California National Guard).
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