Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday and his wife Linda Gilday celebrated Women's History Month by releasing an updated electronic Women in the Navy (WIN) Book, March 22.
WASHINGTON - Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday and his wife Linda Gilday celebrated Women's History Month by releasing an updated electronic Women in the Navy (WIN) Book, March 22.
A website was also created to feature the nearly 200 women in the book and highlight the accomplishments of trailblazing women throughout the history of the U.S. Navy.
The Gildays began the "Women in the Navy" initiative in 2020 when they, with the help of Navy History and Heritage Command, created a display in the CNO's official residence, Tingey House, at Naval Support Activity Washington, D.C., that included approximately 50 women trailblazers, past and present, with inspiring stories of their Navy service. The display then developed into a book that was published online and has been updated biannually.
The idea has grown from a room, to a book, and now a website, which also launched March 22, in honor of Women's History Month.
"Nearly two years ago, my wife, Linda, started to document the achievements of Women in the Navy, both past and present," said Adm. Gilday. "Women in the Navy have and continue to serve with honor and distinction, often overcoming overwhelming odds, challenges and bias. It's important we continue to share the legacies of these trailblazers, innovators and leaders who continue to inspire."
"The WIN project has two purposes: it is a way to honor trailblazing women who served, whether in uniform or as a Navy civilian; and secondly, to inspire men and women alike," said Linda.
Since 1863, women in the United States Navy continue to break barriers and make lasting contributions to the naval service. Every job, space, and rank in the U.S. Navy is open to women, and women serve in nearly every navy community.
"The Navy is full of trailblazers who paved a way for the more than 80,000 women in uniform and nearly 59,000 Department of Navy women civilians serving today," said CNO. "To the women who serve, thank you for all that you do."
The new additions to the book highlight women like Master Chief Hedy Roger-Jones, the first woman to be selected as senior enlisted leader of a strike fighter squadron; Senior Chief Angela Koogler, the first woman to be selected as chief of the boat on submarines; and Nancy Gunderson, the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command director of contracts who received the Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank Award.
You can visit the new website at: www.navy.mil/win and view the WIN book at: https://go.usa.gov/xzv8P
