Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has appointed the first woman to head the California National Guard, the nation's largest guard unit.
The governor's office made the announcement Monday. It said Brigadier General Mary Kight (kite) also will be the first black woman to become adjutant general of a state's National Guard. She takes command Tuesday after a swearing-in ceremony.
Kight, who is 59, is a 25-year California guard veteran. She has been assistant adjutant general since 2006 and previously spent seven years in the Air Force.