Maj. Gen. Sheryl Gordon has retired after a 32-year career in the Alabama Army National Guard during which she became the first and still only woman general in the organization's history.
She also was one of only two women major generals in the Army Guard nationally.
The 56-year-old Gordon lives on Lake Martin and grew up in Selma. She also has retired from a long career as a teacher and administrator at Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City.
Gordon said when she joined the Guard three decades ago, she had no idea she would become the state's first female general.
And what does she look forward to in retirement? Sitting by the lake and not having to drill with Guard two days a month.