The article below was written (and first published) in 2009. Up to that point I had always attributed my fierce independence to my Dad, which is only half the story. Through interviewing my Mom, diving deep into this moment in her life, I was able to see her more clearly. It took courage to go against her very dominant Father. It took guts to say NO to her fiancé. It took faith to abide by the wisdom her Mother offered. It took confidence to walk her own road. These qualities served her well throughout her life – and these qualities are an integral part of what has shaped my life. I am, undeniably, my Mother’s daughter. Rest in peace, Mom . . .
Helen H McAnally | October 6th, 1923 – February 2nd, 2014
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The Blazer
She slipped on the dark blue blazer for the first time. It fit her slim body perfectly. A shiver ran down her spine and up the back of her neck. She gazed at her reflection in the mirror as she placed the cap on her head, careful not to disturb the soft blond curls. Her heart swelled and a tear rolled lazily down her cheek. She’d done it! It was official now; she was a member of the armed forces – one of the 27,000 women serving in the U.S Navy.
She slid her hands down the collar of the blazer, fingering the embroidered anchor on each lapel. Then she touched each button feeling the small eagle embossed on each one. She moved her hand up to her left shoulder and felt the embroidered eagle, perched above the Navy insignia; below that was a wide red V; Petty Officer Third Class. She breathed a long full breath, taking it all in. She felt deeply satisfied, honored to wear this uniform and grateful to have a part in serving her country during the war.
She reflected on her decision. She had heard a woman speak about women in the Navy, also known as WAVES, and was immediately compelled to join and began taking the necessary steps. Her father and her fiancée both told her not to – she would be seen as a slut; all women who were in the armed services were viewed that way. It would ruin her reputation. She didn’t listen. She turned instead to her mother who told her she could do anything and be anyone she wanted to be. She believed that, felt the truth in those words.
Now here she was. She looked again in the mirror and gazed deeply into her own soft blue eyes. She could no longer see the shy, insecure and submissive girl. What she saw, was a woman; a woman who, by her own actions, had just changed the course of her life. She felt a surge of confidence and powerful sense of independence. She picked up her white gloves and her small blue clutch and walked out the door and into her future.
