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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

The Sanctuary

A montage of women and African Americans on the USS Sanctuary
Description: Painting, Oil on Canvas; by George Gibson, Jr.; 1973; Framed Dimension 36H X 38W
Accession #: 88-161-PF
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In 1970, Admiral Zumwalt issued what he believed was his most important directive, “Equal Opportunity In the Navy.”  It required every ship and squadron to appoint a minority member as a special assistant for minority affairs.  He also insisted that the Navy fight housing discrimination in neighborhoods around naval facilities.  Starting in 1972, women were allowed to serve on non-combatant ships in other than medical duties, USS Sanctuary (T-AH-17) being the first to have a mixed male-female crew. 

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