Anthony Woods
Anthony Woods | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families | |
| Assumed office March 2, 2023 Acting: January 18, 2023 – March 2, 2023 | |
| Governor | Wes Moore |
| Preceded by | George W. Owings III |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Anthony Christopher Woods July 20, 1980 U.S. Army Reserve |
Anthony Christopher Woods (born July 20, 1980) is an American politician serving as the secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families since January 2023. He was a U.S. Army officer deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Woods was discharged in 2008 for violating the military's "Don't ask, don't tell" policy.[1]
Early life and education
Born on July 20, 1980,[2] at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California, Woods was raised by a single mother who supported her family as a small business owner and housekeeper.[3] As a child, Woods lived in both Fairfield and Vacaville in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area.[4] He graduated with honors from Vanden High School in 1999.[5][2] Woods received a nomination from U.S. representative Vic Fazio (D CA-3) to attend the United States Military Academy.[6] At West Point, he majored in economics and political science, and graduated in 2003 with a B.S. in Economics and American Politics with a minor in computer science.[3][5] In 2008, Woods completed a Master of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.[2][7] He earned an executive Master of Business Administration from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, College Park.[7]
Military service
Woods was commissioned in the
Woods returned from this deployment to the U.S. in January 2005 and was transferred from Fort Bragg to
Upon return from his second deployment, the Army selected Woods to teach at West Point, an unusual appointment for so junior an officer and one which would require him to earn a graduate degree first.
While at Harvard, Woods volunteered to mentor low-income minorities applying to college and numerous other community leadership activities, including co-founding the first student chapter of
Before graduating in 2008, Woods competed for the opportunity to speak at Harvard's annual commencement and was selected as one of three students to deliver a commencement speech.[11][12]
Shortly after graduation, Woods reported to Fort Knox, Kentucky, for the Armor Captain's Career Course. Shortly thereafter, Woods outed himself as gay and was subsequently discharged under the government's now-repealed “Don't ask, don't tell” policy.[11] For this decision, Woods was ordered to reimburse the Army for the $35,000 tuition paid on his behalf to attend Harvard.[13] In December 2008, the U.S. Army completed the discharge process for Woods.[14]
In 2014, Woods joined the United States Army Reserve as a major in military intelligence.[2]
Civilian career
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After his honorable discharge from the Army in 2008, Woods worked as an aide for Governor David Paterson of New York.[4] On March 18, 2009, Woods declared his intention to run in the 2009 California's 10th congressional district special election to replace representative Ellen Tauscher, who was nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. His campaign made it a high-profile affair receiving national attention.[11] However, his bid to become the first openly gay African-American elected to Congress ended when he lost a special election held on September 1, 2009, receiving under 9 percent of the vote.[15][16]
Following the campaign in California, Woods returned to
On January 12, 2023, Maryland governor-elect
See also
- Sexual orientation and the United States military
References
- ^ "Former soldier Anthony Woods on Don't Ask, Don't Tell", Washington Post, June 28, 2009
- ^ a b c d "Anthony C. Woods, Maryland Secretary of Veterans Affairs". msa.maryland.gov. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
- ^ Contra Costa Times. August 2, 2009. Retrieved September 8, 2009. (candidate profile)
- ^ a b "Anthony Woods: Taking a Stand". Harvard Magazine. Jan–Feb 2009. Retrieved September 8, 2009.
- ^ a b "FCJ Interview with CA-10 Candidate Anthony Woods". Fog City Journal. August 18, 2009. Retrieved September 8, 2009.
- ^ a b "Anthony Woods Launches Petition Calling for National Service To College Program". California Chronicle. June 3, 2009. Archived from the original on September 11, 2011. Retrieved September 8, 2009. (reprinting news release from Woods' congressional campaign)
- ^ a b Sears, Bryan P. (2023-01-12). "Moore unveils 6 Cabinet choices, including health secretary". Maryland Daily Record. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
- ^ "VoteVets.org Endorses Woods for Congress". VoteVets.org. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
- ^ a b c d e f "Tony Woods". NBJC Ubuntu. 2017-07-20. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
- ^ Haslett, Adam (2009-11-18). "Anthony Woods Lost an Election — and Became Candidate of the Year". Esquire. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
- ^ a b c "Gay veteran's military dismissal puts spotlight on California congressional race", McClatchy News Service, July 4, 2009
- ^ Anthony Woods MPP 2008 Calls Graduates to Action in Harvard Commencement Address, Woods 2008 Address at Harvard.edu
- ^ "Woods Gets Honorable Discharge, Must Repay Tuition". Harvard Magazine. March 2, 2009. Retrieved September 8, 2009.
- ^ "On Eve of Stonewall Anniversary, Hildebrand Speaks of Prejudice and Pride". Brookhaven National Laboratory. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
- ^ Congressional District 10 Special Primary Election Results Archived October 19, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, California Secretary of State
- The Advocate. September 2, 2009. Retrieved September 8, 2009.
- ^ "White House Fellows," www.whitehouse.gov
- Baltimore Banner. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
- ^ Janesch, Sam (February 17, 2023). "Final vote on Gov. Moore's pick to lead juvenile services agency delayed as other cabinet members approved". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 17, 2023.