A former high-ranking leader of the most powerful military in the world explained Monday night the importance of being like a mosquito.

Retired three-star Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy spoke to an audience of about 90 people about poverty, hunger, terrorism and the role of women in today’s society in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

Kennedy was named the 11th Mary Louise Smith Scholar for her leadership abilities as a female in a male-dominated military world, said Peggy Baum, program coordinator for the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics.

“We see politics as existing in many different realms,” Baum said.

She said it was especially appropriate to name Kennedy as the recipient because of the situation in Iraq and her involvement as a female in the army.

Kennedy was the first and only female three-star general in the U.S. military.

Her speech’s theme was “Be a Mosquito,” which was taken from an African proverb.

“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try being in a closed room with a mosquito,” Kennedy said.

She said women make up half of the world’s population and come up with half of the world’s food.

Two-thirds of the hours put into work are performed by women, she said, yet women receive only 10 percent of the world’s income and own only 1 percent of the property, Kennedy said.

Brian Dietrich came from Omaha to hear the speech.

“She is blazing the trail for women,” Dietrich said of Kennedy. “It is kind of like seeing the female version of Dwight Eisenhower.”

His interest in her was spurred by her book, “Generally Speaking.”

Michael Mauton, senior in history, came to fulfill a multicultural requirement for one of his education classes.

Although Mauton said he has not read her book, he said he was still interested in her speech.

“I thought it would be interesting to hear a woman’s perspective,” Mauton said, speaking of Kennedy’s military experience.

Iowa State honored Mary Louise Smith in 1995 for her leadership and for being a mentor and a role model, according to the Catt Center Web site. Smith was the first woman to chair the Republican National Committee.

Other notable recipients of the Mary Louise Smith Scholar include Elizabeth Dole in 1999 and Carol Moseley Braun in the spring of 2003.