Rosetta Burke

Rosetta Y. Burke (born February 28, 1937) is a retired senior officer of the United States Army Reserve. She was the first female Assistant Adjutant General of New York State and of the Army National Guard.

Rosetta Y. Burke
Born	(1937-02-28)February 28, 1937 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Army Reserve
Years of service	1962–1997
Rank	Major General
Awards	Army Commendation Medal (2)

Education and civilian career

Rosetta Burke was born on February 28, 1937, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Burke attended Harlem Hospital School of Nursing, Adelphi University, and the C.W. Post Center, Long Island University. Burke retired as Superintendent (Warden) from the New York State Department of Corrections in October 1992.

Military career

Burke served with the United States Army Reserve from 1962 to 1992. She joined the New York Army National Guard in 1993, where as served as the Assistant Adjutant General. She retired as a major general in 1997, culminating a military career of over 35 years of service.

Burke was named state director of the Selective Service System for New York by Governor George E. Pataki in 1997. The appointment, made available by President Bill Clinton and was signed by the National Director of the Selective Service System, Gil Coronado. After World War II, no women holding high office existed. She was named to the post in 1994, after serving thirty years. She was the first female general in New York's Army National Guard and the first female in the nation to be promoted to major general. She retired in 1997.

Memberships

Burke is a member of the Reserve Officers Association, The Retired Officers Association, Association for the Military Surgeons of the United States, National Guard Association of the United States, Militia Association of New York, National Black Nurses Association, Black Nurses Association of the Capital District, Harlem Hospital School of Nursing Alumni, American Correctional Association of the United States of America, New York State Minorities in Criminal Justice, and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Burke is also President of the National Association of Black Military Women. She is also an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

External links

• Mayor Giuliani Celebrates African-American History Month (Press Release 1999)
• Rosetta Burke Named Selective Service State Director for New York
• National Association of Black Military Women
• Interview on National Public Radio

Further reading

• Breslin, Neil D. "Rosetta Y. Burke: Honoree Profile". The New York State Senate. Retrieved March 22, 2019.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Government