President Joe Biden nominated two women to be four-star generals on Monday (watch above). This came after their promotions were delayed during the Trump administration. Last month, The New York Times wrote that “In 2020 America under President Trump, the two Pentagon leaders feared that any candidates other than white men for jobs mostly held by white men might run into turmoil once their nominations got to the White House.” The current president not only followed through with the nominations, he held a ceremony to mark the occasion timed with International Women’s Day. USA Today writes:

The president nominated General Jacqueline Van Ovost, current commander of Air Mobility Command for the U.S. Air Force, to be commander for the U.S. Transportation Command. He also nominated Lt. General Laura Richardson, current commanding general of U.S. Army North, to be commander for the U.S. Southern Command. If confirmed, the Ovost and Richardson will become the second and third women to lead a combatant command. 

At the ceremony, the president said:

“We all need to see and recognize the barrier-breaking accomplishments of these women… We need the young women just beginning their careers in military service to see it and know that no door will be closed to them.”

“We need little girls & boys both who have grown up dreaming of serving their country to know this is what generals in the U.S. armed forces look like.”

The nominations now head to the Senate, where they are expected to be approved.