Joyce A. Heflin Collection

Details

Who's responsible?: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries (Repository)
How much has been digitized?: Most of this collection has been digitized. Some items have not beed digitized due to copyright or other logistical issues.
Where can I find more information?: https://uncg.as.atlas-sys.com/repositories/2/resources/1144
What's in the full collection?: April 2010 oral history transcript and photographs taken during Heflin's Navy service.
Full biography: Joyce Heflin (b. 1952) served in the United States Navy and served from 1978 through 1993 and retired as a lieutenant commander. Joyce Heflin was born in Tacoma Park, Maryland, and grew up in Rockville, Maryland. She attended the State University of New York at Cortland, earning a bachelor's degree in physical education. She then taught kindergarten through 4th grade and coached various sports at the middle and upper school level for two years. After working towards, but not completing, a master's degree in exercise psychology at the University of Maryland, Heflin enlisted in the United States Navy. Heflin attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. Her first duty station was at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where she taught physical education. After three years, she was assigned to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. In Pensacola, Heflin became the avionics division officer and had the rank of lieutenant. Also while at Pensacola, Heflin earned a master's degree from the University of West Florida in education and training. In 1984, Heflin was selected for naval postgraduate school, which was in Monterey, California, where she earned a second master's in management. After naval postgraduate school, Heflin worked as a placement officer from 1986 through 1987. She then worked at the National Defense University and became a network manager. In 1993, the United States military offered a temporary option for servicemembers to retire after 15 years of service, which Heflin accepted, retiring as a lieutenant commander. She then accepted a civilian job offer from Bell Atlantic (later known as Verizon).
Topics: Women's History
Military
Branch of service: Navy
Conflict: Post-Vietnam, Panama, Grenada (1975-1989)
Gulf War (1990-2000)
Subject headings: United States--History--1945-
United States. Navy--Women
Contributing Institution: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries

: Joyce A. Heflin receives Navy Commendation Medal; A man in naval dress uniform with sleeve insignia, identifying him as both a United States Navy commander and line officer, shakes hands with Joyce A. Heflin. Heflin is attired in naval dress uniform and stands in a row with other officers. " The back of the photograph reads:"L[ieutenan]t. Joyce A. Heflin, USN [United States Navy]. 883. February 1985. Award of Navy Commendation Medal by Commodore [sic] Shumaker. Naval Postgraduate School Monterey, California."

: Oral history interview with Joyce Heflin; Joyce Heflin tells of her childhood, education, time in the United States Navy, and civilian life. Heflin discusses her career in the United States Navy and her various duty stations and jobs during the course of her service. A primary topic is her experience as a gay woman serving in the armed forces, along with some discussion of gender roles in the United States Navy in the late 1970s through mid 1990s. Other subjects include women's roles in combat, naval engagements in Grenada in 1983 and Beirut in 1982, Heflin's triathlon career, softball, and the 1993 March on Washington for gay rights.

: Portrait of Joyce A. Heflin in navy uniform; Undated portrait of Joyce A. Heflin attired in Navy dress blue service uniform with white gloves and officer cap in hand. An United States Navy officer insignia can be observed on her cap.

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Women Veterans Historical Project

Joyce A. Heflin Collection

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