Reston, VA - SPARTA announced the recipients of their annual Albert D.J. Cashier Awards Oct. 10th, 2021 during a virtual event honoring the awardees. The Cashier Award is named for Albert Cashier, a transgender man who fought in the United States Civil War.
“The dedication and willingness to serve causes greater than themselves is not a new concept for transgender individuals,” said Bree Fram, President at SPARTA. “Today, we recognize six individuals for their outstanding accomplishments, their representation of the transgender military community, and their dedication to something greater than themselves.”
Awardees
United States Army - Alleria Stanley
United States Marine Corps - Aiden Leslie
United States Navy - KJ Cruz
United States Air Force - Jamie Elizabeth Hash
United States Coast Guard - Amanda Fisher
Veterans - Jamie Ewing
Background
Private Albert Cashier was one of at least 250 Solders that were assigned female at birth. Cashier’s unit, the 95th Illinois Infantry, traveled over 9,000 miles and fought in forty battles. During the siege of Vicksburg, Private Cashier was captured, but was able to escape and return to his regiment. After the war, Cashier continued to live in his gender and was buried in uniform with full military honors in 1915.
Founded in 2013, SPARTA is a non-profit organization not affiliated with the Department of Defense. SPARTA advocates for inclusive military policy, provides peer support, and develops transgender military service educational resources on behalf of currently serving transgender military members.
Photograph of Albert Cashier, By Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
