Obama Appoints Out West Point Alum to Military Academy Board

President Obama has nominated Brenda "Sue" Fulton to be first openly gay member of the Board of Visitors for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Fulton, the executive director of the LGBT West Point alumni group, Knights Out, was a graduate of West Point's first class to include female cadets.

The board is made up of nine Congress members and six Presidential appointees. Its mission is to provide "independent advice and recommendations" on matters concerning the academy to the president. Former congressman Patrick Murphy, the sponsor of the bill to repeal "don't ask, don't tell" was recently appointed to the board.

"I'm proud to have the opportunity to support the cadets who will lead our Army in the coming years," Fulton said in a statement Tuesday. "And I'm pleased that the president is clearly setting the stage for a post-'don't ask, don't tell' military with appointments like this. Most important, I'm looking forward to supporting West Point as it continues to inspire, educate and train leaders of character, as it always has. It is my honor to continue to serve the Academy and the Army that I love."

Fulton served as an Army captain and company commander after her 1980 graduation from the academy.

Former captain Mike Piro, who is also a West Point graduate, called Fulton a "remarkable leader who will contribute immensely to the board and to West Point."