Kathleen Byerly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kathleen M. Bruyere
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Bruyere as a commander (1983)
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| Birth name | Kathleen Mae Donahue |
| Other name(s) | Kathleen Mae Byerly |
| Born | 5 February 1944 Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | 3 September 2020 (aged 76) San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Place of burial |
Miramar National Cemetery, San Diego, California
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| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1966–1994 |
| Rank |  Captain |
Kathleen Mae Bruyere (born Donahue, later Byerly; 5 February 1944 – 3 September 2020) was an important captain in the United States Navy. She was one of twelve women chosen by Time magazine as Time Person of the Year in 1975. This honor recognized American women during a time of big changes for women's rights.
In May 1975, she became the first female officer in the Navy to work as a flag secretary for an admiral. This was a very important job. Later, in 1977, she was one of six officers who took legal action against the Navy. They argued that women were unfairly stopped from serving on combat ships and aircraft. This lawsuit helped change a 1948 law, making it possible for more women to serve in the military.
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Early Life and Education
Kathleen Mae Donahue was born in Norfolk, Virginia, on 5 February 1944. She was the oldest of six children. Her father, Joseph Donahue, was an Army officer. Her mother was Lucille Alessandroni.
Kathleen had four brothers named Joseph, Paul, Timothy, and Matthew. She also had a sister named Lucia. Her family moved often because her father had different jobs in the United States, Germany, and Greece. She went to Trenton Catholic High School for a while. She finished high school in Germany. In 1966, she graduated from Chestnut Hill College.
After college, Kathleen joined the United States Navy. In 1968, she married Kellie Byerly, who was also a naval officer. At that time, most women left the Navy when they got married. But Kathleen chose to stay and continue her service.
By May 1975, Kathleen was a lieutenant commander. She worked as an executive and aide to Rear Admiral Allen E. Hill. She made history by becoming the first female officer in the Navy to be a flag secretary. This meant she led the admiral's staff. She was in charge of nine Pacific training commands.
In 1975, Time magazine recognized her and eleven other women. They were named Time Person of the Year and appeared on the magazine's cover. This showed how important their work was for women in America.
Fighting for Equal Opportunities
In 1977, Kathleen Byerly and five other officers sued the Navy. They believed that not being allowed to serve on ships limited their chances for promotion. A law from 1948, called the Women's Armed Services Integration Act, stopped women from flying combat planes or serving on ships that might go into battle.
One of the women in the lawsuit was a pilot. She was allowed to deliver supplies to a ship but not land on it. In 1978, a judge named John Sirica ruled that the 1948 law was unfair. This decision opened up about 9,000 jobs at sea for women. It also gave women the chance to command ships.
Leadership and Later Service
Kathleen Byerly did not serve on a warship herself. However, she was promoted to captain. She became a special assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations. In this role, she helped create a study in 1987 about sexism and career chances for women in the Navy.
The next year, she became the first female executive officer for the New York Recruiting District. There, she met Thomas Bruyere, another naval officer. She married Thomas Bruyere in 1988. She gained three stepsons through this marriage. In June 1991, she took command of the Orlando Naval Training Center in Orlando, Florida. Under her leadership, the training for 30,000 new recruits each year became integrated.
Later Life and Legacy
Kathleen Bruyere retired from the Navy in 1994. She then moved to Chula Vista, California. She cared for her husband, Thomas, who had Parkinson's disease, until he passed away in 2009.
She was active in her community. She served on the boards of several local groups. These included the Parkinson's Association and the Alzheimer's Association. She also helped the George G. Glenner Center for Memory Care and the Military Officers Association of America.
Kathleen Bruyere passed away from cancer in San Diego on 3 September 2020. She was buried in Miramar National Cemetery. She had volunteered there for many years. Her life showed how one person can make a big difference for others.
