WAVE Ann Atridge leads a group of WAVES at the radio training school in Madison, Wisconsin, in rehearsal for their weekly radio broadcasts on a local radio station.
The photograph comes from the National Archives.
Tag Archives: women’s history
Code Class
Code class is in session at the radio school for WAVES, located on the University of Wisconsin, Madison, campus. The instructor (in the background) carefully times his messages for the WAVES, each in her own headsets and equipment.
The photograph comes from the National Archives.
Careful Timing
Radio coding class is in session, in this photograph from the National Archives. The University of Wisconsin Madison was one of the first training centers for WAVES to open, beginning in October of 1942.
In this photo, the instructor (in the foreground) carefully times his rate of sending coded messages with his timer, which is in his left hand.
Radio Coding
WAVES at the University of Madison in Madison, Wisconsin, learned how to code and decode radio messages – both friend and foe. Here, a WAVE is practicing with the equipment.
The photograph comes from the National Archives.
The Lecture
WAVES sit at attention during a lecture at the WAVES’ boot camp in Cedar Falls, Iowa. WAVES trained at the Iowa State Teacher’s College (now Northern Iowa University).
The photograph comes from the National Archives.
Studious WAVES
WAVES took their assignments seriously. Here, they’re looking quite studious as they work in the classroom during Boot Camp at Iowa State Teacher’s College (now Northern Iowa University) in Cedar Falls.
The photograph comes from the National Archives.
Meet the Press
The media was very interested in the training the WAVES officers-to-be would receive at Smith College in Northampton, MA. Here, Captain Herbert Underwood holds a press interview with local media. Note that most of the reporters are women.
The photograph comes from the National Archives.
Classroom Instruction
Women in the classroom at the Women’s Reserve Naval Training School, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
The photograph comes from the National Archives.
Arriving at Smith
Women arrive at Smith College for their officer’s training. Only four of the women are identified in the photo: Billye Wilde, Bette Evans, Eleanor Rich and Frances Rich. The other woman (partially hidden behind the suitcases) and the two helpful sailors are not identified.
The photograph comes from the National Archives.
October 6, 1942
It was 70 years ago today, October 6 1942, that the first full class of officers would come to Smith College for training in the WAVES. Northrup and Gillet Halls, shown here, were used as dormitories for that first class of officers.
The photograph comes from the National Archives.
Hinges of History 