March 28, 2023

First Female Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy

On March 21, 1917, Loretta Perfectus Walsh was sworn in as a chief yeoman, becoming the first female chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy. Four days earlier, Walsh had been the first woman to enlist in the Navy, having the distinction of being the first woman to serve in any of the U.S. armed forces other than a nursing assignment. Before Walsh

April 6, 2022

Captain Jordine Von Wantoch, First Mom to Have a Normal Navy Career

Over the past 18 months, the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) has highlighted female Navy trailblazers. We have shared their stories because these women are important members of the Navy family. They have served as valuable role models for the next generation of Navy civilians and sailors. NHHC is committed to ensuring their stories are

March 4, 2022

Interview with Commander B.J. Farrell, USS Constitution Commanding Officer

INTRODUCTION:On January 21, 2022, history was once again made on the decks of USS Constitution, America’s Ship of State. At twelve noon the change-of-command ceremony bid farewell to Cmdr. John Benda and welcomed Cmdr. Billie J. Farrell as the first female commanding officer in “Old Ironsides’ 224-year history. Cmdr. Farrell, a native of Kentucky,

Feb. 16, 2022

Command Master Chief Octavia Harris: A Navy Leader Who Looks Out for Others

Over the past 18 months, the Naval History and Heritage Command has highlighted female Navy trailblazers. We’ve shared their stories because women are integral members of the Navy family and serve as valuable role models for the next generation of Navy civilians and Sailors. NHHC is committed to ensuring their stories are remembered and

Feb. 11, 2022

Karen M. Davis, Mentor and Leader

Over the past 18 months, the Naval History and Heritage Command has highlighted female Navy trailblazers. We’ve shared their stories because the women are important members of the Navy family and they’ve served as valuable role models for the next generation of Navy civilians and Sailors. NHHC is committed to ensuring their stories are remembered

May 6, 2021

Owens v. Brown -- Women Can Now Serve at Sea

On Nov. 10, 1976, Petty Officer Yona Owens and six other women sued the Navy. The women were determined to overturn a 30-year-old federal statute that limited Navy women to shore-duty billets, even though they were trained to work aboard ships. Judge John J. Sirica heard the case April 11, 1978, and July 27, 1978, Judge Sirica ruled that women should be allowed to serve at sea.

Oct. 19, 2016

Navy Commissions First African American Woman Officers

Thoughts about World War II conjure specific reference points for most, Dec. 7, 1941, D-Day, or "Loose lips sink ships." Key battles like Midway, North Africa, and Iwo Jima are almost synonymous with the war. There is another significant date that is not mentioned - Oct. 19, 1944, the day the Navy announced blacks would be admitted into the female