Ondas

ref. 14796 — The Navy WAVES Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service were established in response to the need for additional military personnel during World War II. From the very beginning the WAVES were groundbreaking given that they allowed women to serve within an official part of the Navy and its members held the same rank and ratings as male personnel as well as earning equal pay. 1 page Typed Letter Signed and dated December 1944 on Office of Naval Procurement Letterhead and addressed to the mother of an active Navy WAVES officer praising her daughter's heroism and dedication. The letter comes with a collection of 6 vintage black and white photographs in assorted sized of Navy WAVES women from the USS Hunter in uniform spending social time together off duty and posed together proudly. A testament to one of the first fields of labor where women gained equality. one TLS dated 1944 and 6 B&W photos of the Navy WAVES of the USS Hunt. The letter reads in full "Dear Mrs. CadmanYou have the right to be very proud of what your daughter has done in speeding our recent offensive ever closer to the heart of Germany and Japan. Behind each exciting headline these days you are measuring the contribution your daughter is making.You have the right to let the world know you are proud of her.Our Nation's leaders are proud too. President Roosevelt said 'The WAVES have proved they are capable of accepting the highest responsibility in service of their country. On behalf of a grateful nation I offer a hearty well done.' Admiral King added 'You who are members of the Women's Reserve have won the respect of the naval service by your acceptance of military requirements readiness for responsbility and already valuable contribution to the work of winning this war. You will share the gratitude of a nation when victory is ours.'Because by meeting the challenges of life in service your daughter is developing new maturity dependability and confidence.Because by keeping before her the standards of conduct learned at home and in her church she has contributed to the excellent reputation for which the WAVES are known across America.I am enclosing a display piece for you to place in your window. It is designed to let the rest of America know that a member of your family is serving her country in the WAVES. I know you will display it proudly." It is then signed boldly by the USNR Ensign "Barbara C. Bloom." The members of the WAVES were leaders in obtaining workplace equality in and beyond the military given their access to the same titles and pay as their male counterparts. While WAVES could not serve aboard combat ships or aircraft and they were authorized to serve in certain overseas U.S. possessions and a number were sent to Hawaii. At the end of WWII there were well over 8000 female officers and some ten times that many enlisted WAVES about 2-1/2 percent of the Navy's total strength. In some places WAVES constituted a majority of the uniformed Naval personnel. And many remained in uniform to help get the Navy into and through the post-war era. The 6 photographs are in assorted sizes ranging from wallet to 8'x9" with minor foxing and wear on edges. Large official photograph of women in uniform is inscribed on the back in period hand with the names of the women. The letter is an amazing testament to the ordinary women who helped make extraordinary strides for women's equality across the world. With docket holes at the top of the page that do not disrupt text. Letter is in very good condition. unknown books