America could soon see its first woman promoted to the rank of four-star general. Lt Gen Ann Dunwoody has been nominated by George Bush to lead army materiel command, which is in charge of arming and equipping US troops.
Her appointment has yet to be approved by the Senate. But if it is, she will be the first woman in US history to be a full general. Dunwoody would then play a crucial role in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, overseeing more than 50,000 US troops and civilians involved in army contracting, technology and logistics.
"I am very honoured but also very humbled today with this announcement," Dunwoody said in a statement. "I grew up in a family that didn't know what glass ceilings were. This nomination only reaffirms what I have known to be true about the military throughout my career - that the doors continue to open for men and women in uniform."
Women make up 14% of all active duty forces in the US military. But only 5% of army officers, including in the reserve and the National Guard, are women, according to official figures. Dunwoody is one of only five women with a three-star rank.
Women generally have been excluded from higher ranks because the traditional path to promotion has been through combat service - and women have been barred from combat duty.
Officially, that is still the case. But the nature of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has blurred the lines of combat service.
Ninety-seven women soldiers have been killed in Iraq and, in its announcement of Dunwoody's nomination, the Pentagon noted the increased dependence on women troops in war zones.
With that nomination, the army has let down another barrier. Nancy Pelosi, the House of Representatives speaker, said yesterday that Dunwoody's promotion was a sign the military was more willing to recognise women's military service. "Promotion to the highest ranks in our military will now be based on the qualities of leadership, character, and devotion to duty, not on gender," said Pelosi.
Born into a military family, Dunwoody has focused on logistics and support services over the course of a 33-year military career. She joined the army immediately after graduation from college in 1975.