Who is the first female four-star admiral in the U.S. Navy?

Admiral Michelle Janine Howard is a United States Navy admiral who currently serves as the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe. She concurrently serves as the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Africa and commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples. She previously served as the 38th Vice Chief of Naval Operations. Admiral Howard has achieved many historical firsts throughout her naval career. She was the first African-American woman to command a U.S. Navy ship, the USS Rushmore, and the first to achieve three star rank. In 2006, she was selected for the rank of rear admiral (lower half), making her the first admiral selected from the U.S. Naval Academy class of 1982 and the first female graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy selected for flag rank. On July 1, 2014, Admiral Howard became the first woman to become a four-star admiral. As Vice Chief of Naval Operations, which she began that same day, she was the first African-American and the first woman to hold that post. Admiral Howard is also the first female four-star admiral to command operational forces when she assumed command of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S. Naval Forces Africa.