Michelle Howard to Receive the NAACP 44th Annual Image Awards

First African American Woman to Command a Navy Ship Serves as Inspiration to the Next Generation

Los Angeles, CA – United States Navy Vice Admiral Michelle J. Howard will receive the NAACP Chairman’s Award during the 44th NAACP Image Awards, broadcast live on Friday, February 1st (8:00-10:00 PM EST) on NBC.

The Chairman’s Award, chosen by NAACP Chairman Roslyn Brock, is bestowed in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service.

“Vice Admiral Howard is an inspiration for me and women of color across our country,” stated Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors. “Her service and achievements as a top-ranking officer in the U.S. Navy have paved the way for girls and young women to know their dreams can become their reality.”

“I am sincerely touched and honored that the NAACP would choose to recognize me with the Chairman’s Award,” stated Vice Admiral Howard.  “I have been privileged to serve with our Nation’s sons and daughters who remain my greatest inspiration.  NAACP Image Awards remind us that even when we can’t find role models who look like us, television and the movies allow us to dream and believe that anything is possible.  From belief comes faith, and from faith the possibilities become real.”

Howard, who currently serves as deputy commander for the US Fleet Forces Command, is a 1978 graduate of Gateway High School in Aurora, Colorado. In 1982, she graduated from the United States Naval Academy and in 1998 from the Army’s Command and General Staff with a Masters in Military Arts and Sciences. On March 12, 1999, Howard became the first African American woman to command a ship in the U.S. Navy. From May 2004 to September 2005, Howard was the commander of Amphibious Squadron Seven. Deploying with Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 5, operations included tsunami relief efforts in Indonesia and maritime security operations in the North Arabian Gulf.

While serving on board Lexington, she received the secretary of the Navy/Navy League Captain Winifred Collins award in May 1987.  Howard is also the recipient of the 2008 Women of Color Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) Career Achievement Award, the 2009 Dominion Power Strong Men and Women Excellence in Leadership Award, and the 2011 USO Military Woman of the Year.