Written by
a.d. elliott
Biography
Desert Storm/Desert Shield
Died in Service
Gulf War
New Hampshire
US Air Force
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Returning to New York, she would earn a Master's Degree in political science from Columbia University.
After college, she worked as the Supervisor of Recreation in the New Deal WPA before becoming the Executive Secretary of the Harlem Tuberculosis and Health Committee of the New York Tuberculosis and Health Association.
In the Fall of 1944, and in response to World War II, the US Navy opened the doors of officer's candidacy to women of African descent. Lieutenant Pickens, along with Ensign Wills, became the first woman of African descent to become an officer in the US Navy.
Lieutenant Pickens would lead the physical training sessions for all further WAVES recruits.
Lieutenant Harriet Ida Pickens died in 1969.
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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.
In addition to the travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com
Her online photography gallery can be found at shop.takethebackroads.com
#TaketheBackRoads
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