The Women of Color magazine's spring edition has the recurring theme of "Women's History Month" and includes celebrating International Women's Day on March 8.
The women of the year list in the 2024 spring edition of Women of Color magazine highlights the career achievements of women in science, technology, engineering, math, artificial intelligence, civil rights, government, administration, and the United States military who were a source of inspiration in 2023. Read the full article here.
The spring issue of Women of Color magazine recognizes Major General Janeen L. Birckhead's commendable military service and exceptional contributions.
In 2023, Maj. Gen. Birckhead was inducted into the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame for her service in the military.
The Maryland Women's Hall of Fame inducts women from different fields, including administration, government, public service, business, industry, finance, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, education, law, civil rights, social equality, women's rights, feminism, and even polar exploration.
Maj. Gen Birckhead became the 31st Adjutant General of Maryland on April 7, 2023, after serving as the Maryland Army National Guard commander.
She was also the deputy commandant for Reserve Affairs at the U.S. Army War College.
Maj. Gen. Birckhead was commissioned as a distinguished military graduate through the Reserve Officers Training Corps at Hampton University, and holds a bachelor's degree in political science.
Additionally, she earned a Master's in Management from the University of Maryland. Her military education includes the Chemical Officer Basic Course, the Adjutant General Officer Advanced Course, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College, where she earned a Master's in Strategic Studies.
Maj. Gen. Birckhead previously served as the director of Legislative Affairs for the Maryland National Guard.
Her command assignments include the 70th Regiment – Regional Training Institute, Aberdeen, MD; the 581st Troop Command Battalion, Hagerstown, MD; the Soldier Readiness Battalion, Reisterstown, MD; and B Company, 229th Main Support Battalion, 29th Infantry Division, Reisterstown, MD.
Birckhead mobilized under OEF/OIF, serving as the Tiger Team Leader and Designated Military Officer for the Office of Administrative Review for the Detention of Enemy Combatants.
In 2011, Birckhead deployed as the deputy, Current Operations, Security Partnering, and International Security Assistance Force, Kabul, Afghanistan.
Birckhead's military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, NATO Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, and Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
In her civilian capacity, Birckhead is a senior advisor in the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration and Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs in the U.S. Department of the Interior.
She began her civilian career in the U.S. Senate.
Her subsequent civilian career positions included state equal employment opportunity (EEO) manager, special agent in charge for the Defense Security Service, and deputy chief of equal opportunity and civil rights at the Office of Personnel Management.
She joined the Bureau of Indian Affairs as the director of civil rights and equal employment opportunity for the U.S. Department of the Interior in 2010.
