She led efforts to provide women greater opportunities to serve in the Army, and supported investigations of sexual harassment and discrimination in the military.

[2] Lister gained national attention in November 1997 when she referred to members of the United States Marine Corps as "extremists" during a discussion at an academic conference.

[3] During her time as General Counsel of the Army, Lister headed a group that studied the usefulness of the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT).

[6] While serving in this position, Lister was instrumental in the development of policies that opened more Army jobs to women in 1994, and played a key role in the investigations of sexual misconduct and discrimination in the service.

[11] Newt Gingrich, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives sent a letter to President Clinton in which he called Lister's remarks "completely out of order" and insulting to all military personnel.

[8] One commentator argued Lister was "brought down by a carefully orchestrated campaign of conservative activists" because of "her persistent effort to get women into military units, like engineers and artillery, that are close to frontline combat.

"[12] Others speculated that she was an "obvious choice" to succeed Togo West as Secretary of the Army, a concern for opponents of greater military service opportunities for women.