Frances Barringer Bailey Collection

Frances Barringer Bailey in uniform
Frances Barringer Bailey poses on the steps of a building in her WAVES dress white summer uniform with officer's combination hat in 1943. A note on the back of the photo reads,"Dress whites - we hated this uniform."
Frances Barringer Bailey in uniform
Francis Barringer Bailey poses in front of her home wearing the WAVES white summer uniform with officer's combination hat and a purse. The back of the photo reads, "Summer seersucker - seldom wore the jacket."
Franes Barringer Bailey in uniform beside a car
Frances Barringer Bailey poses beside a car in front of her home wearing a belted raincoat and officer's combination hat. The back of the photo reads,"The raincoat, we thought it flattering."
Great Lakes Supply Department staff
A formal group photograph of the Great Lakes Supply Department staff at U.S. Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois, taken November 12, 1943.
Oral history interview with Frances Barringer Bailey
Documents Frances Barringer Bailey's experiences at the Woman's College of the University of North Carolina; her service with the U.S. Navy WAVES in Massachusetts; Great Lakes, Illinois; and Corpus Christi, Texas; and her career in education. Bailey briefly discusses her time at the Woman's College and mentions the math department and her social life on campus. She also notes her awareness of current events in the 1930s and learning about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. " Topics related to the WAVES include Bailey's decision to join the WAVES instead of the Women's Army Corps; basic training at Smith College; supply school at Radcliffe College; her work in supply at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Illinois, and her living arrangements while stationed outside Chicago. She also discusses her work in disbursing in Corpus Christi, Texas, including wearing a gun while distributing payroll and her social life in the service. and WAVES songs. " Other World War II era topics include a Montauk Point commander's refusal to let a woman be stationed there; attending the 1944 Democratic Convention in Chicago; seeing actors Barbara Stanwyck and Robert Taylor in Great Lakes; WAVES songs; Bailey's opinions of General Douglas MacArthur and President Roosevelt; and her opinion of women in combat positions. " Personal topics include raising her children after the death of her husband and her career in education after the war.
Portrait of Frances Barringer Bailey
A formal portrait of Frances Barringer Bailey taken upon completion of WAVES basic training in the summer of 1943. She wears a dark uniform with the combination hat.
Supply School graduation class
Half of the graduating class of the Navy Supply Corps School at Harvard's Radcliffe College pose for a formal photo in August 1943. The group is comprised of five rows of WAVES and three male sailors.