WomenWomenin thein the

United States NavyUnited States Navy

““Opportunities have never Opportunities have never been better for those willing been better for those willing to take advantage of them. It to take advantage of them. It

makes no difference if you are makes no difference if you are a man or a woman. If you are a man or a woman. If you are

willing to give it your full willing to give it your full effort, then success will be effort, then success will be yours. The question is, are yours. The question is, are

you willing?” So said Master you willing?” So said Master Chief Jacqueline L. DiRosa, Chief Jacqueline L. DiRosa, the Navy’s senior ranking the Navy’s senior ranking enlisted woman in 2009enlisted woman in 2009. .

DiRosa entered the Navy in 1981 and within eight years was DiRosa entered the Navy in 1981 and within eight years was promoted to Chief Petty Officer Hospital Corpsman. She later promoted to Chief Petty Officer Hospital Corpsman. She later became the first enlisted woman selected for both Force and became the first enlisted woman selected for both Force and

Fleet Master Chief. Here, she treats a patient.Fleet Master Chief. Here, she treats a patient.

Presently all naval communities are open to women with the Presently all naval communities are open to women with the exception of submarines and SEALS. Women are making vital exception of submarines and SEALS. Women are making vital

contributions in the air, ashore, and afloat in Afghanistan, contributions in the air, ashore, and afloat in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Global War on Terrorism.Iraq, and the Global War on Terrorism.

Although women did not officially serve in the Navy until Congress Although women did not officially serve in the Navy until Congress created the Navy Nurse Corps in 1908, the Navy contracted their created the Navy Nurse Corps in 1908, the Navy contracted their

services during earlier periods. During the Civil Warservices during earlier periods. During the Civil War nuns from the nuns from the Sisters of the Holy Cross treated patients aboard USS Sisters of the Holy Cross treated patients aboard USS Red RoverRed Rover, the , the

Navy’s first commissioned hospital ship. Navy’s first commissioned hospital ship.

Lenah S. Higbee was one of the Navy’s first twenty Lenah S. Higbee was one of the Navy’s first twenty nurses and in 1911 became Superintendent of the nurses and in 1911 became Superintendent of the

Navy Nurse Corps. She further distinguished herself Navy Nurse Corps. She further distinguished herself as the only woman to receive a Navy Cross while still as the only woman to receive a Navy Cross while still

living, and in 1944, was the first woman to have a living, and in 1944, was the first woman to have a warship, USSwarship, USS Higbee Higbee (DD 806), named in her honor.(DD 806), named in her honor.

Secretary of the Navy Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels began Josephus Daniels began enlisting women on 17 enlisting women on 17

March 1918 to help March 1918 to help alleviate a shortage of alleviate a shortage of

clerical workers. During clerical workers. During World War I, most of the World War I, most of the 11,000 female yeoman or 11,000 female yeoman or Yeomanettes served in the Yeomanettes served in the

Washington, D.C. area. Washington, D.C. area. Others filled billets Others filled billets

overseas and across the overseas and across the United States as United States as

interpreters, draftsmen, interpreters, draftsmen, and recruiters. and recruiters.

During World War II, During World War II, 90,000 female officers and 90,000 female officers and enlisted naval reservists, enlisted naval reservists,

commonly known as commonly known as WAVES, were stationed at WAVES, were stationed at shore commands across the shore commands across the country as well as overseas. country as well as overseas. They served as air traffic They served as air traffic

controllers, artists, controllers, artists, cryptologists, hospital cryptologists, hospital

corpsmen, linguists, and corpsmen, linguists, and weather specialists. Most weather specialists. Most

considered their service one considered their service one of the most significant events of the most significant events

in their lives. in their lives.

Navy nurses treated patients ashore, afloat, and in the air during Navy nurses treated patients ashore, afloat, and in the air during World War II. Flight nurses retrieved the injured from the World War II. Flight nurses retrieved the injured from the

battlefield and transferred them to planes for evacuation and battlefield and transferred them to planes for evacuation and further treatment. On the left is a group of flight nurses and on further treatment. On the left is a group of flight nurses and on

the right flight nurse Jane Kendeigh evacuates patientsthe right flight nurse Jane Kendeigh evacuates patients..

Navy nurse Beatrice Kissinger and Navy WAVES Navy nurse Beatrice Kissinger and Navy WAVES Emma Emma Hernandez numbered among the estimated 250,000-500,000 Hernandez numbered among the estimated 250,000-500,000

Latinas and Latinos who served in the U.S. armed forces Latinas and Latinos who served in the U.S. armed forces during World War II. during World War II.

Rear Admiral Grace M. Rear Admiral Grace M. Hopper had a Ph.D. in Hopper had a Ph.D. in

math from Vassar when math from Vassar when she joined the WAVES. she joined the WAVES. She helped develop the She helped develop the

Navy’s first computer, the Navy’s first computer, the UNIVAC-1. After the war, UNIVAC-1. After the war, she received many awards she received many awards

for her contributions to for her contributions to the computer industry. It the computer industry. It was she who coined the was she who coined the

term “bug” to describe a term “bug” to describe a computer problem. USScomputer problem. USS Hopper Hopper (DDG 70) was (DDG 70) was named in her honor. named in her honor.

The contributions of the The contributions of the 350,000 women in the 350,000 women in the

military during World War military during World War II convinced military and II convinced military and congressional leaders that congressional leaders that

women should be allowed to women should be allowed to participate in peace time. participate in peace time.

The Women’s Armed The Women’s Armed Service Act of 1948 did just Service Act of 1948 did just that with some restrictions. that with some restrictions.

Captain Joy Hancock Captain Joy Hancock played a critical role in played a critical role in getting the act passed.getting the act passed.

During the early 1970s, During the early 1970s, Chief of Naval OperationsChief of Naval Operations

Admiral Elmo Zumwalt Admiral Elmo Zumwalt Jr. focused on quality of life Jr. focused on quality of life

issues for sailors and issues for sailors and assuring equal opportunity assuring equal opportunity

for women, blacks, and for women, blacks, and other minorities. He issued other minorities. He issued

numerous mandates for numerous mandates for change commonly known change commonly known as Z-Grams. On 7 August as Z-Grams. On 7 August 1972, he issued Z-Gram-1972, he issued Z-Gram-116, which expanded the 116, which expanded the

role of women in the Navy.role of women in the Navy.

Throughout the 1970s, the Navy gave women Throughout the 1970s, the Navy gave women increased opportunities, opening the Reserve increased opportunities, opening the Reserve Officer Training Corps, aviation training, and Officer Training Corps, aviation training, and

Chaplain Corps to women.Chaplain Corps to women.

Captain Arlene Duerk, a World War II and Korean War Captain Arlene Duerk, a World War II and Korean War veteran, served as Chief of Nursing Service, Naval veteran, served as Chief of Nursing Service, Naval

Hospital Great Lakes until 1970, when she was Hospital Great Lakes until 1970, when she was promoted to Director, Navy Nurse Corps. Two years promoted to Director, Navy Nurse Corps. Two years

later she became the Navy’s first female admiral.later she became the Navy’s first female admiral.

In the summer of 1976, eighty-one women entered the In the summer of 1976, eighty-one women entered the Naval Academy’s Class of 1980.Naval Academy’s Class of 1980.

In 1978, the Navy started its women on ships program In 1978, the Navy started its women on ships program assigning them to auxiliary ships, such as USS assigning them to auxiliary ships, such as USS Vulcan Vulcan (AR 5). A year later the Navy established OP-O1W, the (AR 5). A year later the Navy established OP-O1W, the

Special Assistant to the Chief of Naval Personnel for Special Assistant to the Chief of Naval Personnel for Women’s Policy. These changes coincided with the Women’s Policy. These changes coincided with the

Department of Defense decision to stop the draft, as well Department of Defense decision to stop the draft, as well as with the Civil Rights and Women’s Rights Movements.as with the Civil Rights and Women’s Rights Movements.

Progress made in the Progress made in the 1970s provided the basis 1970s provided the basis

for women to reach for women to reach previously unimaginable previously unimaginable heights during the years heights during the years that followed. Women that followed. Women soon commanded ship soon commanded ship

yards, recruitment yards, recruitment districts, and training districts, and training

stations, and constituted stations, and constituted 15 percent of the naval 15 percent of the naval personnel fighting in personnel fighting in

theater during the 1990-theater during the 1990-1991 Gulf War. 1991 Gulf War.

Darlene Iskra Darlene Iskra distinguished herself as distinguished herself as

the first woman to the first woman to command a non-command a non-

combatant ship, USS combatant ship, USS Opportune Opportune (ARS 41), a (ARS 41), a

rescue-salvage ship. rescue-salvage ship. She retired in the rank She retired in the rank of commander, earned of commander, earned her doctorate degree her doctorate degree in 2008 and published in 2008 and published her first book about her first book about

leadership a year later.leadership a year later.

When she was 10 years old, When she was 10 years old, Wendy Lawrence watched Wendy Lawrence watched Neil Armstrong take the Neil Armstrong take the

first steps on the moon and first steps on the moon and decided to become an decided to become an

astronaut. This 1981 Naval astronaut. This 1981 Naval Academy graduate began Academy graduate began astronaut training in 1992 astronaut training in 1992 and went on to log more and went on to log more

than 1200 hours in space. than 1200 hours in space. She made four space flights She made four space flights

between 1990 and 2005, between 1990 and 2005, including two trips to the including two trips to the

Russian space station Mir.Russian space station Mir.

Rear Admiral Deborah Rear Admiral Deborah Loewer’s intellect, faith, Loewer’s intellect, faith, energy, and hard work energy, and hard work

served her well during her served her well during her 31-year career. In 2001, she 31-year career. In 2001, she

became the Navy’s first became the Navy’s first warfare qualified woman warfare qualified woman promoted to the rank of promoted to the rank of admiral.admiral. Meanwhile, she Meanwhile, she

established a established a successful mentoring successful mentoring

program for female surface program for female surface warfare officers that warfare officers that

continues today. continues today.

Captain Margaret G. Kibben, a Navy chaplain, leads the Captain Margaret G. Kibben, a Navy chaplain, leads the ceremonial guard carrying Admiral William J. Crowe’s casket ceremonial guard carrying Admiral William J. Crowe’s casket

into the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel. Admiral Crowe, the into the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel. Admiral Crowe, the eleventh Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, died at the age eleventh Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, died at the age

of eighty-two on 18 October 2007.of eighty-two on 18 October 2007.

Rear Admiral Michelle J. Rear Admiral Michelle J. Howard, a 1982 Naval Howard, a 1982 Naval

Academy Graduate, became Academy Graduate, became the first black woman to the first black woman to

command a combatant ship command a combatant ship and the first female to and the first female to

command an amphibious command an amphibious squadron. In 2007, she was squadron. In 2007, she was the first female Academy the first female Academy graduate promoted to flag graduate promoted to flag

rank. Rear Admiral rank. Rear Admiral Howard attributes her Howard attributes her

success to having terrific success to having terrific mentors and helping others mentors and helping others

advance.advance.

Quartermaster Quartermaster 2nd Class 2nd Class Carolina Carolina

Castanon, a Castanon, a Sailor in Naval Sailor in Naval

Support Activity Support Activity Bahrain’s Bahrain’s

Harbor Patrol Harbor Patrol Unit, makes her Unit, makes her

rounds, rounds, September 2003.September 2003.

Evelyn Banks, Command Master Chief, U.S. Naval Academy, Evelyn Banks, Command Master Chief, U.S. Naval Academy, graduated from the Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer graduated from the Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy and the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy. She is known Academy and the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy. She is known

for her energetic personality, passion for promoting naval service, for her energetic personality, passion for promoting naval service, communicating easily with all ranks, and her genuine concern for communicating easily with all ranks, and her genuine concern for sailors. She advises sailors to “learn the rules, respect the rules, sailors. She advises sailors to “learn the rules, respect the rules,

and follow the rules.”and follow the rules.”

Captain Kathlene Contres, the Captain Kathlene Contres, the Navy’s highest rankingNavy’s highest ranking

female Hispanic active duty line female Hispanic active duty line officer, became Commandant of officer, became Commandant of the Defense Equal Opportunitythe Defense Equal OpportunityManagement Institute in March Management Institute in March

2005. Educating more than 2005. Educating more than 1,200 students per year, the 1,200 students per year, the

Institute is the Defense Institute is the Defense Department’s Department’s center of center of

excellence for equal opportunity excellence for equal opportunity and equal employment and equal employment

opportunity training, education, opportunity training, education, and research.and research.

Lieutenant Amy Tomlinson became the first female Naval Lieutenant Amy Tomlinson became the first female Naval Flight Officer to be selected for the Blue Angels in October Flight Officer to be selected for the Blue Angels in October 2008 and is the first of her gender to sit at the round table 2008 and is the first of her gender to sit at the round table

in their ready room. in their ready room.

““I have always wanted to I have always wanted to be a naval officer ever be a naval officer ever

since I was a little girl,” since I was a little girl,” said Ensign Judy Reid at said Ensign Judy Reid at her commissioning. She her commissioning. She

transitioned from a petty transitioned from a petty officer to a commissioned officer to a commissioned

officer on 29 January officer on 29 January 2009. She has completed 2009. She has completed assignments ashore and assignments ashore and

served on three ships served on three ships including the aircraft including the aircraft carrier USS carrier USS Theodore Theodore RooseveltRoosevelt (CVN 71). (CVN 71).

Raised in Texas, Kathryn BerndtRaised in Texas, Kathryn Berndt graduated from Harvard graduated from Harvard with a degree in psychology.with a degree in psychology. But what she really wanted to But what she really wanted to

do was to practice medicine. She concluded that a Navy do was to practice medicine. She concluded that a Navy scholarship program would provide the most economical scholarship program would provide the most economical

route to achieving her goal. After earning her M.D. at route to achieving her goal. After earning her M.D. at Tufts University, she was promoted to lieutenant.Tufts University, she was promoted to lieutenant.

Dr. Berndt has since served as Medical Department Head on Dr. Berndt has since served as Medical Department Head on board the USS board the USS OgdenOgden (LPD 5) and a surgery residency at (LPD 5) and a surgery residency at Naval Medical Center San Diego. Naval Medical Center San Diego. “The Navy has given me “The Navy has given me

the opportunity to excel in ways in which I had only dreamed the opportunity to excel in ways in which I had only dreamed about,” she said. “To become a doctor, to become a surgeon, about,” she said. “To become a doctor, to become a surgeon,

and to have a wonderful family.” and to have a wonderful family.” And she’s not done yet!And she’s not done yet!

President Barak Obama addressed the graduating class at President Barak Obama addressed the graduating class at the U.S. Naval Academy on 22 May 2009. The class of 2009 the U.S. Naval Academy on 22 May 2009. The class of 2009

included 203 female graduates.included 203 female graduates.

If a person is motivated, hardworking and has the If a person is motivated, hardworking and has the courage, honor and commitment, he or she can achieve courage, honor and commitment, he or she can achieve their dreams in the Navy, regardless of sex, race, creed, their dreams in the Navy, regardless of sex, race, creed,

color or ethnic origin. color or ethnic origin.