Today we honor Navy Veteran Janie Mines.  In high school, Janie was a member of the National Honor Society and participated in Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC). Her academic success led her to graduate as the class salutatorian, making her a good candidate for the Naval Academy, which, until 1975, had not accepted female applicants. With legislation change in 1976, Mines was amongst the first group of women allowed to enroll at the Naval Academy. She was also the first Black woman at the Naval Academy. Janie sailed the USS Emory S. Land (AS-39), was assigned to the Navy Annex of the Pentagon, and served as the senior advisor for business processes for the Secretary of the Navy. After serving, she became an author and continued helping other female students in the Academy as she believed it was best to “pay it forward and be there for others.” Congratulations on your success Janie and THANK YOU for your service.