Margarethe (Grethe) joined the US Army and after graduating from college, served seven years on active duty and married a fellow military officer.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House

When military regulations changed in 1972 and women were allowed to serve in the military with dependents, Margarethe returned to the Army Reserves.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House

The appointment is a case study in the right way to manage transition at the top, says Margarethe Wiersema, an expert in management succession at Rice University.

ECONOMIST: Women in business