Julia Jeter Cleckley

Julia Jeter Cleckley (born 1944) was the first African American female General in the National Guard (United States). She is an author, consultant, and keynote speaker.

Career Julia Jeter Cleckley joined the Women's Army Corps after graduating from Aliquippa High School in 1962, knowing that the G.I. Bill would fund her college education. She earned the rank specialist E-5. The next year she joined the National Guard (United States) as a First Lieutenant in the Adjutant General's Corps with the 42nd Infantry Division, New York Army National Guard. She led the diversity and mentoring program through its early development.

Cleckley chaired the Army National Guard Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Committee, and was the military special assistant to the President of the Federally Employed Women. Cleckley retired in 2004.

In 2014, Cleckley published a memoir, A Promise Fulfilled.

After retiring from the military, Cleckley founded Cleckley Enterprises, a speaking and consulting firm.

Personal life Cleckley was born in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania on September 30, 1944.

In 1981, Cleckley's first husband died. She remarried in 1996. The couple divorced in 2002. Cleckley has two daughters.