Reunited after 20 years: The Citadel’s first female African American graduates honored on campus
February 8, 2022
Adrienne “AJ” (Watson) Crosby, Toshika “Peaches” Hudson-Cannon, Dr. Renee E. Hypolite, Natosha Mitchell Johnson, Jamey McCloud, Geneive “Hardney” Marshall and Lesjanusar “Sha” Peterson, pose for photos on Summerall Field in Charleston, South Carolina on Friday, February 4, 2022.
Credit: Cameron Pollack / The Citadel
The commencement of the Class of 2002 marked a milestone for The Citadel. The first African American women cadets graduated that year, seven in all.
Now, 20 years later, the seven reunited on campus, invited by their alma mater and by The Citadel African American Alumni Association (CA4). They were honored at parade and during a reception hosted by the President of The Citadel on Friday, Feb. 4.
Each February, in honor of Black History Month, one of the Corps of Cadets’ military dress parades is dedicated to the legacy of the college’s first African American graduate, Charles Foster. This year, that parade will also celebrate the 20th graduation anniversary of the first seven African American female cadets.
The names of the seven 2002 alumni being honored at 3:45 p.m. on Feb. 4 on Summerall Field include:
- Adrienne “AJ” (Watson) Crosby
- Toshika “Peaches” Hudson-Cannon
- Dr. Renee E. Hypolite
- Natosha Mitchell Johnson
- Jamey McCloud
- Genevie “Hardney” Marshall
- Lesjanusar “Sha” Peterson
Several of the alumnae serve on boards or task forces related to the college and are active in CA4 and other organizations supporting The Citadel.
Toshika “Peaches” Hudson-Cannon, for example, who was a Psychology major and cadet-athelte while in the Corps, serves on The Citadel School of Humanities and Social Sciences Advisory Board. Hudson-Cannon, who has worked as teacher, coach and Athletics Director, lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband Dan and their three children, Aydan, Kaylen and Kyleigh.
Credit: Cameron Pollack / The Citadel
