Denise DiBetta Mathis Champion Collection

Details

Who's responsible?: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries (Repository)
How much has been digitized?: Only a part of this collection has been digitized.
Where can I find more information?: https://uncg.as.atlas-sys.com/repositories/2/resources/689
What's in the full collection?: December 2014 oral history transcript; enlisted white combination hat; 3 shoulder patches; 2 Newspapers Golden Eagle from NAS Lemoore June 16 and 23, 1977; awards and citations;photograph album; 18 June, 1976 copy of Rudder, the Orlando, Florida Naval Training Center Yearbook; military papers; shadow box of insignia; prints; Triangle Seagals application; and materials; a challenge coin and photographs from the 1997 dedication from WIMSA (Women in Military Service for America Memorial); November 2007 newspaper insert "Women's Memorial 10th Anniversary", published by Stars and Stripes.
Full biography: Denise DiBetta Mathis Champion (b. 1953) served in the United States Navy from 1976 to 1980. Denise DiBetta Mathis Champion was born 8 May 1953 in Los Angeles, California. In 1970, her family relocated to Sacramento, California, where she graduated from high school in 1971. Champion then attended Los Angeles Community College, focusing on home economics. Afterwards, at the suggestion of her father, Champion joined the United States Navy WAVES on a delayed entry program. In June 1976, Champion attended basic training at Naval Training Center Orlando, Florida. She was then assigned to Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. At this duty station Champion worked as officer personnel in the administration building, typing up temporary duty, or TDY, orders for soldiers. Her duties also included standing watch in the women's barracks. Champion left the United States Navy in April of 1980. In the years following she had a daughter. She currently resides in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Topics: Women's History
Military
Branch of service: Navy -- WAVES
Navy
Conflict: Post-Vietnam, Panama, Grenada (1975-1989)
Subject headings: United States--History--1945-
United States. Navy--Women
Contributing Institution: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries

: A Building at NAS Lemoore, CA; Photograph of a building at Naval Air Station, Lemoore, California.

: Bachelor Enlisted Quarters at NAS Lemoore, CA; Photograph of the Bachelor Enlisted Quarters at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.

: Denise Champion; Photograph of Denise Champion at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.

: Denise Champion; Photograph of Denise Champion at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.

: Denise Champion and friend; Denise Champion, on right, poses with a friend.

: Denise Champion at work; Denise Champion at work, circa 1976-1980.

: Formal portrait of Denise Champion; Formal portrait of Denise Champion.

: Oral history interview with Denise DiBetta Mathis Champion; Primarily documents Denise DiBetta Mathis Champion's service with the United States Navy WAVES. Champion recalls her childhood and growing up in Los Angeles, California, her desire to join the service as a way to be self-sufficient, travel, and meet people, and the physical difficulties she faced in basic training. She also describes the duties she was tasked with as officer personnel.