Mildred McAfee became the Navy's first female line officer and first director of WAVES on 3 August 1942.
On 3 August 1942, Mildred McAfee made history by becoming the first female commissioned line officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve. This appointment marked the start of her role as the first director of WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service), during World War II. Her leadership ensured the successful integration of thousands of women into the Navy, breaking longstanding barriers in a male-dominated military environment.