Seven graduates of the Class of 2002 returned to the college in February for a Friday afternoon dress parade honoring their contribution to Citadel history 20 years ago, when they became the first Black female cadet graduates. At the time of their graduation in 2002, U.S. Army Maj. Adrienne Watson Crosby, Toshika Hudson-Cannon, Dr. Renee E. Hypolite, Natosha Mitchell Johnson, Genieve Marshall, Jamey McCloud and Lesjanusar Peterson were known as the “magnificent seven.”
“They created the history for me to be able to create history,” said Samantha Walton, ’22, who served as the 2022 regimental cadet public affairs officer. “It just feels amazing to be able to know that because of them, I’m able to do something inspiring for other women here.”