Celebrate and Learn

WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) was created in 1942 in response to World War II. This organization was part of the navy. Within a year 27,000 women had volunteered for jobs ranging from clerical work to medical support to intelligence. By 1945, over 86,000 women had enlisted, and over 8,000 women had become officers. In 1948, women were incorporated into the navy, and the term WAVES was retired. Older children can read an interesting article at: WAVES.