Nancy Mace | Courageous Cadet

Photo by Alice Keeney

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The first name that comes to mind on the topic of Citadel-ceiling-shattering might be Shannon Faulkner; but hers was only its first tiny crack. It was Nancy, the third woman to enroll at the Citadel, who was the first to graduate from its hallowed halls. Following the footsteps of her father, a decorated Citadel grad himself, was never the original plan, but she jumped in with both feet and a buzz cut when the option arose. “The only piece of advice my father gave me, and it was probably the best anyone could have given me, was to remember the first year, knob year, is a game, and to remember my sense of humor.” Twelve years later, Nancy runs a PR, web and design firm but downplays her game-changing role. “People make a bigger deal about who I am and what I’ve accomplished than they need to. I think people can be intimidated by women who succeed in challenging environments.”