WAVES
#BlackFacts
In December 1944, two women became the first two African American women to serve in the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services). In July of 1942, President Roosevelt signed a law stating that women can join the Navy reserve in order to release the men into sea duty during World War II. Majority of the women who joined were white. In November 1944, two African American women graduated from the Naval Reserve Midshipmen’s School in Massachusetts. On December 22, 1944, Lieutenant Harriet Ida Pickens and Ensign Frances Will became the first two African American women sworn into the WAVES. #BlackGirlMagic
On December 22, 1997, the Mississippi State Supreme Court upheld the conviction of Byron De La Beckwith. On June 12, 1963, Byron De La Beckwith assassinated civil rights activist Medgar Evers in front of Evers’ own home. De La Beckwith was tried for the murder in two separate trials in 1964, both resulting in a hung jury. It wasn’t until 1994 when De La Beckwith was convicted of first degree murder of Medgar Evers. The same physical evidence was presented (murder weapon with his fingerprints) alongside new evidence of testimonies of Beckwith boasting of the murder at KKK rallies were presented. Beckwith appealed the conviction. 34 years later, justice was served for Medgar Evers. De La Beckwith was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
