Frequently
Asked Questions 
Frequently
Asked Questions The President today approved a plan
submitted by the Navy Department providing for the acceptance
of Negro women in the Women's Reserve of the Navy. The plan calls
for the immediate commissioning of a limited number of especially
qualified Negro women to serve as administrative officers. They
will assist in the subsequent planning and supervision of the
program for Negro women which will be administered as an integral
part of the Women's Reserve. Enlistment of Negro women will be
undertaken as soon as these plans have been completed and it is
presently indicated that the first Negro recruits will enter training
shortly after January 1. Officer candidates and enlisted women
will be trained at existing schools for the training of WAVES.
The number to be enlisted will be determined by the needs of the
service.
Source: Navy Department Press Releases, World War II Command
File, Operational Archives Branch, Naval Historical Center.
[Document is also reproduced in MacGregor, Morris J. and Bernard
C. Nalty Blacks in the United States Armed Forces: Basic Documents.
vol.6. Wilmington DE: Scholarly Resources, 1977, p.124. ]
Definition: WAVES - Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service
(US Navy Women's Reserve)
October 1998