Hampton Roads Wartime Women

01/22/2026

Lately we’ve been doing research on the WACs who served here in Hampton Roads, and we stumbled upon our most unusual WAC yet- a raccoon! WAC Sgt Floopy was adopted by Pvt William H. Bailey during his service in Hampton Roads. Bailey found the baby raccoon and raised her, and he said WAC Sgt Floopy became his good luck charm! You can see in the photo that Floopy wears a sweater with sergeant stripes. We don’t know what happened to Floopy after the war, but considering the bond these two had, we can only believe WAC Sgt Floopy spent the rest of her days with Pvt Bailey. Images courtesy of

01/06/2026

Something fun from last year- we recreated a original photo (last slide) WASP checking their Operations Tow Target schedule. We love an opportunity to recreate an original photo! Thanks to for letting us take photos!

01/04/2026

As we embrace 2026, here’s a look back at 2025 for the Hampton Roads Wartime Women! We had quite a year attending 12 events, 10 meeting and several workshops. Thank you for following along with us and all your support over the years. We look forward to more joy and adventures in 2026!

01/01/2026

Happy New Year!!!!

12/30/2025

The more studious among you might be familiar with Winnie the WAC but did you know there was also a WAC comic strip “G.I. Gertie”? The comic strip was written and drawn by WAC CPL Eva Mirabal of Taos Pueblo, New Mexico. Mirabal enlisted in 1943 and served until 1947, and was the only WAC assigned as a full-time artist. She created art, including “G.I. Gertie” for the nationally distributed newspaper AIR WAC. This made her one of the first female cartoonists to have her own published comic strip, and possibly the first Native American artist to publish her own comic strip. Read more about her in the article linked in our bio! womenshistoryisamericanhistory

12/26/2025

Merry Christmas from the Hampton Roads Wartime Women!

12/15/2025

Happy first night of Hanukkah to all those who celebrate!

12/10/2025

Hey Hampton Roads! Do you love WWII History? Do you love fiber crafts? Join us at the Sat Dec 13 from 10-3 to learn about Wartime Knitting!

11/25/2025

11/17/2025

Ola “Millie” Mildred Rexroat WASP was the only Native American woman to serve in the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots or WASP. Her mother was Oglala Lakota, and Rexroat grew up at Pine Ridge Reservation near Wakpamni Lake. Before the war she worked for what is now the Bureau of Indian Affairs, working for engineers building airfields. This is where she was inspired to learn how to fly. Rexroat was able to join the WASP when she was 23 years old. In the WASP, she transported cargo and personnel, and towed targets for aerial gunnery students at Eagle Pass Army Airfield. Despite the dangerous work, she felt fortunate, because the commander at her base “liked WASPs and thought they did a good job of flying and requested more.” After the disbandment of the WASP she continued to work in aviation, becoming one of the first women air traffic controllers.

11/07/2025

You might know the name Thorpe from Jim Thorpe, famous as a professional athlete and Olympian. But did you know his daughter Cpl Grace Thorpe served in the WAC? Through her parents, Grace Thorpe’s tribal heritage included Potawatomi, Kickapoo, Sac and Fox, and Menominee. In 1943, Grace briefly worked for the Ford Motor Company, and then joined the WAAC. She trained in Fort Oglethorpe, GA, and was later stationed in AZ to work in recruitment. Later she was stationed in the Pacific, serving in New Guinea, the Philippines, and Japan. Cpl Thorpe was awarded a Bronze Star for her service in the Battle of New Guinea. After the war she retuned to Oklahoma, where she served as tribal district court judge, health commissioner, and activist.

10/08/2025

We had such a wonderful time representing the WACs and WASP at the this weekend! Even without the air show it was a fantastic time! Can’t wait for the next event!