ALCOAST 480/23 - DEC 2023 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF WOMEN'S INTEGRATION INTO THE COAST GUARD

R 051230Z DEC 23   MID120000694500U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 480/23
SSIC 5350
SUBJ: 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF WOMEN'S INTEGRATION INTO THE COAST GUARD
1. On December 5, 1973 Congress passed Public Law 93-174 to permit
women to enlist in the Coast Guard. This year we celebrate the 50th
anniversary of this decisive step towards gender equality in the
Service. The Act ended the U.S. Coast Guard Women's Reserve (SPARS)
as a separate entity and allowed women to integrate into the
Coast Guard as active duty or Reserve members. The Coast Guard
also opened Officer Candidate School to women, becoming the
first American armed service to do so.
2. Only two days after the law passed, the first women were sworn
into the regular Coast Guard on December 7, 1973. Yeoman First Class
Wanda May Parr and Yeoman Second Class Margaret A. Blackman were
sworn in at a ceremony in Yorktown, VA, and CWO Alice T. Jefferson
became the first woman to be sworn in as a active duty commissioned
officer in the Coast Guard. Jefferson was sworn in by Admiral
Chester Bender, Commandant, at a ceremony held at Coast Guard
Headquarters. Since that day, women continue to make incredible
contributions to Coast Guard mission execution.
3. Today, we honor that historic moment. The 50th anniversary of
women's integration into the Coast Guard is an opportunity to honor
the accomplishments and contributions of women throughout our
Service's history. You can learn more about women in Coast Guard
history by visiting the following pages:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.history.uscg.mil/Browse-by-Topic/Notable-People/Women/

(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.history.uscg.mil/Browse-by-Topic/Notable-People/Women/
Women-in-Coast-Guard-Historical-Chronology/

4. POC: OSC Erica Pierre, CG-DCMS-DPR-4, at 206-815-2601,
or Erica.N.Pierre@uscg.mil
5. ADM Linda Fagan, Commandant (CCG), sends.
6. Internet release is authorized.