The White House Correspondents’ Weekend Garden Brunch is pleased to announce Lieutenant General Donna W. Martin as the recipient for the 2022 “Courage” Award.

Lt. General Martin is the 67th Inspector General of the United States Army, the first woman to hold the post. A native of Yorktown, Virginia, and a graduate of Old Dominion University, Martin was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Military Police Corps in 1988.

LTG Martin was previously the Provost Marshal General of the U.S. Army, serving as the principal military advisor to the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff of the Army on policing matters, including law enforcement, criminal investigations, criminal intelligence corrections, biometrics and forensics, physical security, high-risk personnel security, antiterrorism, and detention operations. Concurrently, LTG Martin served as the Commanding General, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, serving as the Department of the Army’s independent criminal investigative authority. LTG Martin served in both Iraq and in Afghanistan.

LTG Martin’s military awards include the Distinguished Service Medal; Legion of Merit with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; Bronze Star Medal with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; Army Commendation Medal with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; and an Army Achievement Medal.

Lt. General Martin has shown courage and exhibited extraordinary leadership throughout her military career, and we are more than honored to present her with this year’s “Courage” Award. The spirit of the Garden Brunch is recognizing and celebrating veterans and active-duty members of the military like Lt. General Martin who have dedicated their lives to serving our country. While we celebrate the freedom of the press this weekend, it’s important to shine the spotlight on and give back to those that ensure our safety and secure our freedom across the world.