Retired Navy Captain Timika Lindsay and her daughter, Elise Lindsay, have graduated from the United States Naval Academy, becoming the first black mother-daughter combination in the 177-year history of the United States Navy. This achievement comes after decades of military service in the family.
On May 26, Timika, who graduated from the academy in 1992, walked alongside her graduating daughter and before her, keeping the family tradition alive, NJ reported.
Timika;s father served in the Marine Corps and the Navy, both of her grandfathers served in the Army, and her nephew now serves in the Navy and Air Force. Elise’s father was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps when he died unexpectedly several years ago, and her uncles were among the first black men to join the Navy’s B-1 Band above the level of Messman in 1942.
After completing her training this summer, Elise will report to Sasebo, Japan, to serve as a surface warfare officer aboard the USS America (LHA-6).
“I think she will do well in going back to Japan,” Timika said. “I believe we’re in the Navy to see the world.”
Timika moved Elise and her son Eric there from 2015 to 2017.
Timika returned home to Gloucester County, N.J., to spend time with friends and family after retiring from the Navy in 2021 after a distinguished 30-year career. She retired as the highest-ranking female officer in the Navy after serving as the Chief Diversity Officer and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the Naval Academy.
“Where we are today is a lot better than where we were 50 years ago,” Timika told the outlet. “But we can’t stop here.”
“My family will tell you that I faked my retirement,” she said, pausing to chuckle. “And somehow secretly I’m still working for the Navy.”
Timika is a trustee on the USS New Jersey Commissioning Committee, the director of leadership and development for the Naval Academy Minority Association, and the Freedom to Serve chair for the National Naval Officers Association.
