May 31, 2024

Elizabeth Reynard, Virginia Gildersleeve, and the Birth of the WAVES

Elizabeth Reynard, an English professor, was the second in command of the WAVES, or Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, during World War II. Together with Virginia Gildersleeve, the politically and socially well-connected dean of Barnard College, Reynard laid the foundation for the Women’s Reserve, which opened doors to naval service

March 22, 2022

The Navy’s Aircraft Carrier Force Centenary: Women Carrier Aviator Trailblazers

The Navy’s centenary anniversary of the commissioning of USS Langley (CV 1), its first aircraft carrier on March 20, 1922, offers a special opportunity to recognize the outstanding achievements of the Navy’s pioneering women aircraft carrier aviators. This occasion also allows us to explore their progress towards promoting diversity, inclusion, and

April 2, 2021

Katherine Horton, World War II Veteran and African American Trailblazer

​In November 2020, CNO and Mrs. Gilday installed a new exhibit in the Tingey House highlighting the accomplishments of female Navy trailblazers. The trailblazers proudly served their country and this year the Naval History and Heritage Command will be sharing their stories. Katherine Horton joined the Navy in 1944 and in March 1945, she became one of the first three African American WAVES to enter the Hospital Corps School at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

March 26, 2021

Passion. Purpose. Pay it forward.

"Passion. Purpose. Pay it forward."When reflecting on her notable 36-year career, these are the fundamentals Vice Admiral U.S. Navy (retired) Carol Pottenger highlights as the keys to success. She explains, "As long as you have passion about what you're doing, you believe you're bringing value to an organization, your purpose is strong and sincere,

March 17, 2021

Loretta Perfectus Walsh - First Enlisted Woman in the Navy

​In November 2020, CNO and Mrs. Gilday installed a new exhibit in the Tingey House highlighting the accomplishments of female Navy pioneers. The pioneers proudly served their country and this year the Naval History and Heritage Command will be sharing their stories. One hundred and four years ago this week, Loretta Perfectus Walsh enlisted in the U.S. Navy. She was the first woman to serve in a non-nursing capacity in any branch of the armed forces.

March 12, 2021

Twelve Anchors

In November 2020, CNO and Mrs. Gilday installed a new exhibit entitled "Celebrating Navy Women: Perseverance and Achievements" in the Tingey House. The pioneers proudly served their country and this year the Naval History and Heritage Command will be sharing their stories. In February 23, 1945, the Twelve Anchors, eleven female Navy nurses and one Filipino nurse were rescued from a Japanese Prisoner of War camp in the Philippines.

Feb. 1, 2021

Perseverance: Lt. j.g. Harriet Ida Pickens and Ensign Frances Wills

In November 2020, CNO and Mrs. Gilday installed a new exhibit entitled "Celebrating Navy Women: Perseverance and Achievements" in the Tingey House. The pioneers proudly served their country and in 2021, the Naval History and Heritage Command will be sharing their stories.Two women who persevered were LTJG Harriet Ida Pickens and Ensign Frances

Dec. 21, 2020

Honoring 30 Years of Women in Command at Sea

Last month, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday and his wife Linda installed a new display in their residence highlighting the accomplishments of female Navy pioneers. Among them is a photo of Cmdr. Darlene Iskra, U.S. Navy, retired who, on Dec. 27, 1990 became the first woman to command a commissioned Navy ship. I recently spoke with Iskra

June 16, 2020

Trailblazer - First Female Executive Officer aboard USS Constitution

U.S. Navy photo...

March 19, 2019

A U.S. Navy with Women: Stronger, More Efficient and More Capable

Editor's note: "Why We Do What We Do" is an initiative CNO Richardson asked the Naval History and Heritage Command to help share with the fleet. Each month, our historians will dissect a seminal moment in our Navy's past and then highlight the lessons we learned. The purpose, is to ground today's Sailors in their history and heritage by explaining