St. Paul recorder., 1943-08-20

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girls were asked to leave because
the office had "closed," however,
two others returned and found the
doors open. The six girls had de-
cided to test the qualifications for
admission to the WAVES which
state that a woman must be a ma
tive-born American citizen and be-
tween the ages of 20 and 35. All
met both requirements. They are:
Miss Althea Jefferson, high
school graduate, of Washington,
Pa, who is trained as a typist and
stenographer, and who now works
at the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing here.
Miss Hazel Lee, graduate of
Cleveland Secretarial School, New
York City, who is a typist and
stenographer and operates all types
of business machines. In addition,
Miss Lee is qualified as a dental
hygienist and has passed the Dis
trict of Columbia Medical Board
which permits her to practice her
profession here. She is employed
by the Civil Service Commission.
Miss Bernice Jacobs, 28, has an
ABB. from the University of Cali
fornia at Berkley, with a major in
Hispano-American history, has
been a school teacher and has
credits toward an MA. in history.
Miss Cora E. Wright, %, ABB.
in English from South Carolina
State College, credits towards MA.
in English at Howard University,
and two years of teaching exper-
ience.
Miss Cleomine B. Lewis, %, Vir-
ginia Union University, ABB. in
English; stenographer, Burroughs
bookkeeping machine operator,
mimeograph machine operator;
working now as secretary.
Miss Velma Hammond, %, San
Francisco State College, ABB. in
biology and economics, with gradu-
ate credits in biology. Now en-
ployed by Bureau of Engraving and
Printing.
First to enter the WAVE re-
cruiting office at 1920 G Street,
were Misses Jefferson and Lee, who
went in at 4:15 pm. They were
interviewed by a WAVE, who re-
ceived them pleasantly, albeit with
a thick Kentucky accent. When
asked for application blanks, the
Kentucky WAVE stated, "Oh, we're
not taking applications just now,
but I'll take your names and ad-
dresses and telephone numbers. AS
soon as we begin taking them we'll
let you know"
"You mean you're not taking ap-
plications from anyone?" question
ed Miss Lee. "No," said the
WAVE. "But we are making some
plans for you ALL" There was more
talk about names and addresses,
some literature changed hands, but
Miss jefferson and Miss Lee were
not given application blanks.
AS the first two left, Miss Jacobs
and Miss Hammond entered. Re-
ceived by the same WAVE, they
had no sooner sat before the inter
viewers desk than a sailor, yeo-
mans rank, called the WAVE away
saying "the commanding officer
wanted to see her. The interview
was taken over by the yeoman,
who the two young women said
appeared clustered"
AS the sailor began to fill out
cards to show the young women's
names and addresses, a Navy Of
fcer walked to the front door, by
which they had entered, and closed
it saying: "We're closing up, Smith,
it's too hot"
Miss Jacobs then asked if they
could be permitted to finish filling
out their cards, and to have appli-
cation blanks. They were given
the application blanks along with
some other literature, but the sailor
nervously told them that the office
was closed now.
1t was then 4:45 PM. Miss ia
cobs asked if that were the usual
closing time, and was told the hours
were usually from 9 Am. to PM
AS the young women rose to
leave, the sailor pointed to a rear
exit, asked them if they would
leave that way because the front
door was locked. Miss Jacobs de-
INJURED, stating, 'T'll go out the
way came. I get my streetcar
on the corner in front of this build
ing" The front door was opened
for them and they left.
On later investigation it was
found that the rear door by which
they had been asked to leave led
to an alleyway behind the office.
Miss Jacobs and Miss Hammond,
outside, recounted their experience
to the others, who observed that
none of the Navy personnel had