Frances Wills and Harriet Ida Pickens are Sworn In

When the Navy decided to begin integrating African-American women into the WAVES program in October 1944, Frances Wills and Harriet Ida Pickens were the first to answer the call. Here they are being sworn in as Apprentice Seamen by Lieutenant Rosamond D. Selle, USNR, at New York City. In December 1944, they became the Navy’s first African-American WAVES officers.

Photo size: 2368 × 3000
Photo source: Naval History and Heritage Command
Usage: Public Domain