A Blog About Women Who Were Homefront Heroines: the WAVES of World War II
Graduation day for Lt. Harriet Ida Pickens (left) and Lt. Frances Wills (right), the only two African American women commissioned as officers in the WAVES during World War II.
Their graduation was 70 years ago, December 21, 1944. The photograph comes from the National Archives.
A salute between the only two African American WAVE officers during World War II: Lt. Harriet Ida Pickens (left) and Lt. Frances Wills (right).
The December 1944 photograph comes from the National Archives.
Among the WAVES graduating from the last officer class at the Naval Reserve Midshipmen’s School at Smith College, Northampton, MA were Lt. Harriet Ida Pickens (left) and Lt. Frances Wills (right). The were the only two African American women commissioned as officers in the WAVES during World War II.
The December 1944 photograph comes from the National Archives.
The last officer class would graduate from the Naval Reserve Midshipmen’s School at Smith College, Northampton, MA in December 1943. Here, the class sits in attention at their graduation.
The photograph comes from the National Archives.
Brrr! Members of the final graduating class of WAVES at the Northampton Naval Reserve Midshipman’s School march to their graduation in December 1944.
The photograph comes from the National Archives.
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, visiting to the officer training at Smith College in Northampton, MA with WAVE Commander Mildred McAfee.
The photograph comes from the Schlesinger Library at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies, Harvard University.
Eleanor Roosevelt was a staunch ally of the WAVES, both advocating for women to be in the military at the same rank and pay as men, and visiting WAVES stations from time to time.
This is a visit to the officer training at Smith College in Northampton, MA.
The photograph comes from the Schlesinger Library at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies, Harvard University.
WAVE Annabell Dean get her first stripe sewn on after she graduates as an ensign from the Northampton Women’s Reserve Officer’s Training School at Smith College. Ensign Mabel Theobald helps her get the placement just right.
The photograph comes from the National Archives.
WAVES Captain Mildred McAfee and Captain Gordon Underwood review the new WAVE officers during graduation ceremonies at Smith College, Northampton, MA, on November 16, 1943.
The photograph comes from the National Archives.
WAVES pass in formation during graduation ceremonies for officers at Smith College in Northampton, MA, November 16, 1943. WAVE captain Mildred McAfee salutes as the officers pass.
The photograph comes from the National Archives.
Hinges of History 