Sylvia K. Swink Collection
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Oral history interview with Sylvia Kenny Swink
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Primarily discusses Sylvia Kenny Swink's service in the U.S. Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) as well as her pre- and post-war personal life. Swink discusses growing up during the Depression in Minnesota, and her father and brothers working for the WPA (Works Progress Administration) and CCC {Civilian Conservation Corps). She shares her memories of the attack on Pearl Harbor; her brothers' military service; and her desire to join the WAVES. " Of her service, Swink discusses her enlistment in the WAVES and her parents' reactions. She recalls the navy's background checks and her feelings about freeing a man to fight. She details the ride on the troop train to Hunter College, including a stop in New York City. Topics of discussion from her time at Hunter College include: living in a dorm; poorly fitted uniforms; and daily activities. Topics from her time in Washington, D.C. include: details of her clerical office; social activities; the death of President Roosevelt; and her supervisors. She also briefly mentions V-E Day and V-J Day celebrations and a frightening moment in D.C. " Post-war discussion includes her courtship with and marriage to Colon Swink; their moves to Texas, California, Minnesota, and North Carolina; her career with Guilford County; her family's military service, and her participation in veterans activities and organizations.
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Portrait of Sylvia K. Swink
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Portrait of Sylvia Kenny Swink, circa 1944, in her WAVES blue service dress uniform with 1st Class Seaman sleeve stripes and garrison cap.
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Six WAVES
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Sylvia Kenny Swink (second from right) poses with five other WAVES in varying uniforms with differing ranks, circa 1944. Four of the WAVES are in the navy blue work uniform with blue garrison caps, while two of women wear the gray seersucker work uniform with garrison caps.
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Sylvia K. Swink
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Sylvia Kenny Swink poses outside in the WAVES white service dress uniform and service hat with white cover, circa 1944.
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Sylvia K. Swink and brothers
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Sylvia Kenny Swink poses with two of her brothers, the oldest a navy serviceman, in front of a car, circa 1944. She wears the WAVES blue service dress uniform and service hat with blue cover.
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Sylvia K. Swink in Washington, D.C.
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Sylvia Kenny Swink, with a purse over her shoulder, walks on a street in Washington, D.C., in 1945. She wears the WAVES white shirtwaist and black tie, navy blue skirt, and matching garrison cap.
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Two WAVES and a sailor, circa 1944
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Sylvia K. Swink (left) sits at a table with a navy serviceman and a fellow WAVE, circa 1944. Both women wear the WAVES blue service dress uniform.
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WAVES class
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Group photo of a WAVES class posed on the steps of a building, probably at Hunter College, New York, in 1944. The women wear the WAVES gray and white seersucker work dress and service hat with navy blue cover.
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WAVES marching
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A unit of WAVES marches in formation, probably at Hunter College, New York, in 1944. The WAVES wear the gray and white seersucker work uniform and service cap with white cover.
