Women Divers: Part of the Navy Team
Tradition and equipment discouraged women from becoming divers. Navy divers were exclusively male for over one hundred years. Dive gear, designed to fit men, was heavy and oversized for female divers. Hull Technician Donna Tobias made history in 1975 when she graduated from the Navy’s Deep Sea Diving School as the Navy’s first female hard hat diver. “She had to prove herself, to be twice as good at everything, and she was,” remembered retired Master Diver Steven Lechner.
This exhibit examines the challenges and achievements of some of the first women Navy divers. Through determination, persistence, and a love of diving, these early pioneers proved themselves in a male-dominated world to become valued, respected members of the diving community.
Use the tabs below to explore their experiences in their own words.
