Grace Hopper Makes WAVES: Changing the Tides of Women’s History

FORT MEADE, MD, UNITED STATES

03.08.2024

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jaimar Carson Bondurant 

All Hands Magazine

Grace Hopper was a U.S. Navy rear admiral, widely regarded as a brilliant mind for her role in speerheading computer technology and a pioneer among women in the Navy. Her naval story starts during World War II. Joining the Navy was no easy feat for women back then, but Hopper would eventually have her chance to prove herself during the war and even beyond that. Hopper’s service eventually propelled her to national recognition in computer science and forever cemented her legacy within the Navy.
Hopper was able to serve through the establishment of Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). WAVES was part of the U.S. Naval Reserve that had been established to allow women to serve their country in a capacity previously reserved only for men. With WAVES, women would typically take nursing and clerical responsibilities so that more men were available for combat roles. The hardships of war demanded the full commitment of every able-bodied person daring enough to serve their country in its time of need, regardless of gender. Hopper was bold enough to answer the call and join WAVES in 1942, and soon after was commissioned as a Lieutenant, Junior Grade.
Hopper was assigned to the Bureau of Ships Computation team at Harvard University, contributing to the design and development of the Mark I, one of the earliest programmable digital computers, and pioneering advancements in computing technology and programming languages. As a newly commissioned officer, she had an opportunity to contribute to the war effort in a more direct manner. Despite facing skepticism and discrimination as a woman in a male-dominated field, Grace was undeterred. She saw a chance to prove herself and demonstrate that women were just as capable as men in serving their country.
As the number of women in the Navy started to grow, Grace found herself surrounded by women from all backgrounds, each with her own story of patriotism and determination. Many of these women were caretakers who had to leave behind their families to enlist, or career women who left their vocation. Others were simply searching for adventure or driven by desire to make a difference. Regardless of their diverse backgrounds, they were united by a shared sense of purpose and camaraderie.
Hopper's role within the Navy quickly evolved, and she was tasked with training new recruits in mathematics and computer science, using her expertise to help them master the complex calculations and algorithms required for their assignments. Her dedication and patience earned her the respect and admiration of her fellow female Sailors, who affectionately referred to her as "Amazing Grace."
As the war progressed, Grace's responsibilities expanded beyond training. She was called upon to assist with the development of new computing technologies, working tirelessly to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the Navy's operations. Her groundbreaking work laid the foundation for modern computer programming, earning her recognition as one of the pioneers of the field.
Despite the challenges and hardships she faced, Grace remained steadfast in her commitment to serving her country. She not only contributed directly to the war effort, but paved the way for future generations of women in the military and beyond. Her legacy continues to inspire countless individuals to this day as the namesake of a U.S. Navy ship: Arleigh-burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70), primarily stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Sources: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/grace-hopper; https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/grace-hopper-woman-computer; https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/btmurr.html

• Date Taken: 03.08.2024
• Date Posted: 03.12.2024 08:46
• Story ID: 465885
• Location: FORT MEADE, MD, US