BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY : AFRICAN AMERICAN BRIGADIER GENERAL CLARA L. ADAMS-ENDER UNITED STATES ARMY ( RETIRED) : GOES INTO THE " HALL OF BLACK GENIUS "

BLACK                            SOCIAL                                   HISTORY

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Brigadier General Clara L. Adams-Ender, RN, MS, FAAN (USA, Ret.) rose from a staff nurse in the army nurse corps to become the chief executive officer for 22,000 nurses, a brigadier general and director of personnel for the Army Surgeon General. She was vice-president for nursing at the prestigious Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the largest health care facility in the Department of Defense. In 1967, she became the first female in the Army to be awarded the Expert Field Medical Badge. Brig. Gen. Adams-Ender also commanded an army base, a position equivalent to city manager, magistrate and mayor of a city. She was responsible for a $90-million budget while providing quality customer services to 85 different constituent groups. She is an educator, lecturer, consultant and leader who has given over 500 presentations to audiences of health care professionals, community leaders, businessmen and women, lawyers, credit union managers and staffs, veterans groups and students both at home and abroad.
Brig. Gen. Clara L. Adams-Ender was born in Wake County, North Carolina, the fourth oldest of ten children. She received her baccalaureate degree in nursing from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC; a Master of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN and a Master of Military Art and Science degree from the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS. She has been awarded twelve honorary doctorate degrees in law, public service, humane letters and science.
Brig. Gen. Adams-Ender is President and Chief Executive Officer of Caring About People With Enthusiasm (CAPE) Associates, Inc., a management consulting and inspirational speaking firm. The agency specializes in health care management and health care reform, leadership issues and leader development, cultural diversity, women in the workplace and conflict management and resolution. She is a charismatic, knowledgeable and inspiring speaker and one never leaves her presence without being impressed by these qualities.
Brig. Gen. Adams-Ender is Past Chairperson, Board of Directors of the Andrews Federal Credit Union, a Charter Member, Board of Visitors, U.S. Marine Corps University and a former member of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS). She has received many awards for her community work and service, including the Roy Wilkins Meritorious Service Award of the NAACP, Gertrude E. Rush Award for Leadership from the National Bar Association, and the Regents’ Distinguished Graduate Award from the University of Minnesota. In 1996, she was named by Working Woman magazine as one of 350 women who changed the world from 1976-1996.
Brig. Gen. Adams-Ender’s awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Expert Field Medical Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge.