Image courtesy of the Special Collections & University Archives, Rutgers University Libraries, New Brunswick, NJ
Joy Bright Hancock (1898-1986), a native of Wildwood, NJ, was on temporary duty in the United States Navy during World War I.
Hancock joined WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) during World War II, becoming one of its first officers. In 1946, she was appointed the director of WAVES and successfully lobbied to have women accepted into the regular US Naval Reserves.
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References:
Book:
Hancock, Joy B. Lady in the Navy: A Personal Reminiscence. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press,
Journal Articles:
United States. 1926. Joy Bright Hancock. Washington. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1053375841
- United States. 1971. For the Relief of Joy Bright Hancock (H.R. 8138). Washington: U.S. G.P.O. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/968393022
- Burstyn, Joan N. 1990. “Joy Bright Hancock”. Past and Promise, Lives of New Jersey Women. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/54795013
Newspaper Articles:
“Comdr. Hancock to be Sworn as Director of Waves July 26.” The Washington Post (1923-1954), Jul 18, 1946. http://ezproxy.rowan.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Fhistorical-newspapers%2Fcomdr-hancock-be-sworn-as-director-waves-july-26%2Fdocview%2F151834774%2Fse-2%3Faccountid%3D13605.
“Fairfax Soroptimist Club Hears Capt. Hancock.” The Washington Post (1923-1954), Jun 23, 1948. http://ezproxy.rowan.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Fhistorical-newspapers%2Ffairfax-soroptimist-club-hears-capt-hancock%2Fdocview%2F151998494%2Fse-2%3Faccountid%3D13605.
“Lieut. Joy Hancock 1st Naval Officer to Sponsor Warship.” The Washington Post (1923-1954), Jul 11, 1943. http://ezproxy.rowan.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Fhistorical-newspapers%2Flieut-joy-hancock-1st-naval-officer-sponsor%2Fdocview%2F151604725%2Fse-2%3Faccountid%3D13605.
Saxon, Wolfgang. “JOY HANCOCK DIES; LAST WAVES CHIEF: [OBITUARY].” New York Times, Aug 25, 1986, Late Edition (East Coast). http://ezproxy.rowan.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Fnewspapers%2Fjoy-hancock-dies-last-waves-chief%2Fdocview%2F425963533%2Fse-2%3Faccountid%3D13605.
Smith, JY, Washington Post, Staff Writer. “Retired Navy Capt. Joy Hancock Dies.” The Washington Post (1974-Current File), Aug 22, 1986. http://ezproxy.rowan.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Fhistorical-newspapers%2Fretired-navy-capt-joy-hancock-dies%2Fdocview%2F138920837%2Fse-2%3Faccountid%3D13605.
Vlahos, Elizabeth. “Capt. Joy Bright Hancock: Distaff Deckplate Trailblazer.” All Hands, 03, 2010, 40, http://ezproxy.rowan.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Fmagazines%2Fcapt-joy-bright-hancock-distaff-deckplate%2Fdocview%2F199471816%2Fse-2%3Faccountid%3D13605.
“WAVE Names Destroyer at N.J. Launching.” The Washington Post (1923-1954), Aug 02, 1943. http://ezproxy.rowan.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Fhistorical-newspapers%2Fwave-names-destroyer-at-n-j-launching%2Fdocview%2F151660605%2Fse-2%3Faccountid%3D13605.