The Long Blue Line (Winter 2021)

press dogging our steps during Swab Summer. In
more than one instance, cameramen jumped out
from behind bushes to snap our photographs as we
marched to and from Chase Hall. Once the academic
semester started, individual women were pulled out
of class for interviews, often at the last minute. We
were not trained in conducting interviews so it was no
surprise when several women were misrepresented.
We learned the media could not be trusted with
the nuances of our stories and even a hint that the
women were not thriving sent repercussions rippling
through the Corps of Cadets, to our detriment.
Consequently, we became masters at hiding certain
realities from others, and even from ourselves. Our
class determined that both male and female cadets
would attend scheduled interviews or none at all.
There were many questions. The tangible and often
humorous topics concerning bathroom facilities,
uniforms, sports, and haircuts were easier to talk
about. They were temporary obstacles solved over
time. By far, the most stubborn obstacles remained
deeply entrenched attitudes. Nevertheless, facing
these hurdles made us stronger.
From the time we entered to the time we graduated,
we were engulfed in an expectation of failure, and
discounted in ways both overt and subtle. At the
6
same time, we were surrounded by the largest group
of funny, creative, kind, and intelligent young people
in one place. The dynamic was an adventure and we
walked both paths.
We each had to find our own toeholds out of that
quagmire of low expectations and psychological
warfare in all its forms. Father Norman Ricard, U.S.
Navy chaplain, provided one early toehold for me.
Humor. His laughter and perspective helped me
see the humor in a lot of situations. Other toeholds
followed. Framed as heroes, we are often labeled
as courageous by others. To most of us, it felt like
survival. And we persevered as only the young can—
with verve and humor.
Looking back, I reflect on how quickly one’s life
can become history. It was 20 years ago that the
Women of 1980 were invited to celebrate the 20-year
anniversary of women at the Coast Guard Academy.
During that visit, we met cadets who believed women
had always attended the Academy. Women at the
Academy had become normalized; no one gave
it a second thought. I found it refreshing. Now,
suddenly, we are celebrating 40 years of women
at the Academy. And once again, we dust off the
memories of our moment in history and celebrate with
the newest members of the long blue line.
THE LONG BLUE LINE WINTER 2021
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