Marcia Anderson


Marcia Carol Martin Anderson was the first African-American woman to become a major general in the United States Army Reserve. The first African-American woman to become an active duty major general is Nadja West.

Early life

She was born in Beloit, Wisconsin, and finished school in St. Louis, Missouri.

Career

As a civilian, Anderson serves as Clerk of Court for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Wisconsin.
A 1979 graduate of Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska a 1986 graduate of Rutgers School of Law–Newark in New Jersey, and a 2003 graduate of the United States Army War College. She is married to Amos Charles Anderson. She originally signed up for the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Creighton University because she needed a science credit.
In 2011, Anderson became the first African-American woman to achieve the federally recognized rank of major general in the United States Army, United States Army Reserve or United States Army National Guard.
Anderson retired from the reserve army in 2016 but continued with her civilian job.

Personal life

She lives in Wisconsin with her husband.

Awards

Her military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Parachutist Badge, and the Physical Fitness Badge.