Hard work makes her first female brigade commander
Maria Rossi Kelly, daughter of John and Ceil Rossi of Middletown, was sworn in as the first woman to command an Ohio National Guard Brigade in January of 2010.
The Middletown High School graduate, who transferred from Fenwick High School to participate in the MHS theater program, downplays the high honor, however, in favor of pointing out that her rise through the ranks was based on merit and not on her being a woman.
“She would rather be recognized for the achievement,” said her dad, John Rossi, himself a former officer in the U.S. Army. His son, Dominick, a Fenwick High grad, is currently serving in the Army where he holds the rank of Colonel and has served nearly 25 years.
Lt. Col. Kelly joined the U.S. Army where she served for three years in Germany. After discharge she enrolled at Ohio University where she was a member of the Ohio National Guard and the R.O.T.C.
After graduating cum laude, she was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves and earned her Airborne Wings at Ft. Benning, Ga. She then worked as a fulltime Army recruiter at Ohio State University and part time as news editor for Channel 4 in Columbus.
She left OSU to become a fulltime mother to her two children, Sara and Dave Jr., enrolling at Ohio State to earn a masters degree in education where she served the National Guard as a recruiter.
After that, Maria was assigned to Iraq with her National Guard unit for two tours of duty. Her husband, David, also a lieutenant colonel in the Guard, took care of the children while Maria was in Iraq. Recently he was assigned to Iraq and his tour will end this summer.
Her experience includes a plans officer with the 371st Corps Support Groups and base commander for two forward operating bases. She has also served as public affairs office, and Officer Candidate School instructor, detachment commander, battalion operations and training officer and battalion executive officer.
“Diversity is one of this organization’s top priorities and is an issue we’ve been committed to promoting for many years,” said Maj. Gen. Gregory L. Wayt, Ohio adjutant general, who also has connections with Middletown, where his mother still resides.
“She may be the first,” Wayt said, “but there are many powerful, intelligent women advancing in our ranks.”
Colonel Maria Rossi was sworn in to her new rank June 3 in Springfield. Her mother, Ceil, and father, John, attended the ceremony.
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