The U.S. Naval Academy?s view toward women has changed drastically since Lisa Stolle was a cadet.
“If a female midshipmen called for attention, the men would mock her voice,” said Stolle, 51, of Virginia Beach, who graduated from the academy in 1981.
With her daughter entering her final year at the Annapolis academy, Stolle said about three times as many women are in each class, which academy officials said reflects a “boot-strap effort” to improve gender relations and female recruitment.
The recent publicity behind the academy?s sexual scandals have not deterred female recruitment, officials said. The number of female applicants improved 10 percent even though the number of candidates accepted dropped by 1 percent.
“I believe that the quality of the incoming female plebes is better than in years past, in terms of academics, athleticism and character,” said Bruce Latta, the academy?s dean of admissions. “I don?t see anything in the data that shows any of [the negative publicity] has affected enrollment.”
Women comprise 21 percent of the incoming class, a figure that has grown steadily since 1976, when women were first inducted.
Officials hope new academy changes will increase female enrollment and improve gender issues on and off campus. Capt. Margaret Klein was selected as the academy?s first female commandant last year. The academy has developed a sexual harassment seminar cadets must go through every year.
“A culture change is part of what we?re trying to accomplish here,” said outgoing superintendent Vice Adm. Rodney Rempt at the Board of Visitors meeting earlier this month.
Though the atmosphere isn?t perfect, Stolle said, the improvement is heading in the right direction.
“That kind of stuff wasn?t there,” she said. “There are still some issues, but you?re going to find those anywhere men and women are working or studying.”
