An newspaper photograph from 1972 of Amy Fowkes, wearing a military hat and leaning on a Nittany Lion statue.

Amy Fowkes was featured in a 1972 article in the Altoona Mirror focusing on her experiences as the first woman to join the ROTC.

Credit: Altoona Mirror, Oct. 11, 1972

Amy Fowkes, ROTC Trailblazer

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Eiche Library

Penn State Altoona will celebrate Women’s History Month with guest speaker Amy Fowkes from noon to 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, in the Eiche Library on campus.

Fowkes started at Penn State Altoona in 1972, the same year Title IX — which prohibited discrimination based on sex in federally funded education programs — took effect, allowing women to join the ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) program.

At 18, Fowkes signed up, becoming the first woman recruited into the national women’s Army ROTC program, which was brand-new at the time.

Fowkes will speak about her trials and tribulations during her more than 25-year career in the military.

Space is limited. Register on Discover.