First Black woman to lead Fort Meade calls for more female leaders in the military

As Army Col. Yolanda Gore relinquished her role as garrison commander of Fort George G. Meade in a ceremony Thursday, she called for more women leaders in the military.

“Women leading formations, leading garrisons, leading commands at every level of this Army and this world, it should be so ordinary that no one feels the need to mention it at any podium,” Gore said to applause during the ceremony marking the end of her two years as the first Black woman to lead the Anne Arundel County installation in its 109-year history.

Gore was originally scheduled to hand the garrison command to Col. Sunny Keuhl, a decorated woman who worked for the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, but those plans were modified Thursday morning without explanation.

Gore’s call comes against a backdrop of possibly shifting policies toward women in the military under President Donald Trump.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has blocked flag promotions for women officers and fired others. Two months before being appointed, Hegseth said he believed women should not serve in combat roles, and recently he said he plans to order that those serving combat roles will be required to meet the “highest male standard.”

The U.S. Army Installation Management Command had announced that Keuhl, who worked in the Pentagon as the vice deputy director of analysis and warning on J2 | Joint Staff Intelligence, would be Fort Meade’s 90th garrison commander.

It would have been the first time a woman transferred command of Fort Meade to another woman.

The post will be commanded on an interim basis by retired Army Col. Brian Foley, who served as Gore’s deputy and as Fort Meade’s garrison commander from 2013-16. He declined requests for comment at the ceremony.

Fort Meade Public Affairs Officer Chad Jones said he couldn’t comment on the change. He added that he’s never seen such a last-minute change in garrison commanders during his 18 years at the base, but it’s not uncommon at other military installations.

The Army did not respond to a request for comment.

Fort Meade is Maryland’s largest employer with over 50,000 people working there. It hosts the National Security Agency, the U.S. Cyber Command, the Army Field Band and other activities.

As garrison commander, Gore oversaw Fort Meade’s operations and management. It’s a role often likened to mayor of the post.

During Gore’s tenure as Meade’s garrison commander, she set out to improve services and expand its influence over Maryland communities, strengthening partnerships with local businesses, legislators and Anne Arundel County public schools, including the seven inside the installation.

Gore also steered Fort Meade through a turbulent two years, when the military community faced significant federal policy changes and funding lapses due to a government shutdown.

“Serving as the garrison commander of Fort George G. Meade has been a blessing and a curse,” she said during her speech.

State and regional representatives attended her celebration, along with nearly 100 other colleagues, service members, friends and family.

At the ceremony, Gore discussed the challenges of commanding the post amid staff reductions and an ongoing hiring freeze. She also praised her team’s triumphs, from a first-of-its-kind workforce development partnership with the University of Maryland to new internship programs with Anne Arundel County Public Schools and bolstered child care at the installation.

Tim O’Ferrall, general manager of the Fort Meade Alliance, told The Banner he couldn’t recall a garrison commander who’s been more involved with the broader community than Gore. It’s not an easy task, he said, especially at an installation known for its secrecy. His nonprofit group, which he’s led for over 15 years, often supports service families and liaisons between the base and civilians.

O’Ferrall lauded Gore’s ability to remain authentic and consistent amid a complicated national dialogue on race and gender in the military.

“It was inspiring to have a woman commander,” said Gina Stewart, the executive director of the BWI Business Partnership, who also co-chairs the Fort Meade Community Covenant Council — a coalition strengthening resources for people around the base.

Gore plans to retire Dec. 1 after serving roughly 30 years in the Army.