Celebrating Black History Month: Harriet Pickens and Frances Wills, first African American women commissioned in the US Navy

 

Harriet Ida Pickens, born March 17, 1909 in Talladega, Alabama, and Frances Wills, born July 12, 1910 in Philadelphia, Pennyslvania, were the first two African American female officers to be commissioned by the US Navy.

The WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) was established in 1942 during WWII, and many African American women wanted to enlist.  Then-Secretary of the US Navy Frank Knox refused their admission, following his death in April 1944, President Franklin Roosevelt authorized their inclusion in the WAVES.  Pickens and Wills were the first African American women chosen as recruits. They were enlisted on November 13, 1944.

Pickens passed away in 1969 in New York City after a stroke.  Wills died in January 1998 in New York City. 

Harriet Pickens and Frances Wills

Benny Goodman "King of Swing" born 1909

Benny Goodman, born May 30, 1909, became known as the "King of Swing".  During his lengthy career, he recorded many hits such as "Stompin' at the Savoy" and "Sing, Sing, Sing".  His music, along with another big bands, were popular during WWII but by the mid-forties, the big band sound wasn't as popular as during the 20's and 30's.


"Sing, Sing, Sing" is my favorite!

Victor Borge, the Clown Prince of Denmark, born in 1909

Victor Borge, one of the funniest men ever was born January 3, 1909 in Copenhagen, Denmark.  I loved his antics on the piano but his phonetic punctuation was my favorite!

He passed away in December 2000.