The National Women’s History Museum Launches New Exhibit, "SPARs: Coast Guard Women in WWII"
ALEXANDRIA, VA—From its early iteration as a lifesaving organization, the Coast Guard saw many women serve as rescue boat operators for stranded sailors and keepers of lighthouse lamps. In its latest online exhibit, SPARs: Coast Guard Women in WWII, the National Women’s History Museum explores how the participation and service of the SPARs during WWII paved the way forward for women in the Coast Guard and shattered preconceptions regarding women's potential and ability to serve their country. While they were not explicitly on the front lines, their efforts in freeing Coast Guard men to join the fray ultimately aided the Allies' success and proved that women were fit for any job and occupation, resulting in more women entering the general workforce in the decades to come.
SPARs: Coast Guard Women in WWII, is available on the National Women’s History Museum’s website. The Museum’s extensive collection of virtual exhibits and other programming is available here.
About the National Women's History Museum
Founded in 1996, the National Women’s History Museum (NWHM) is an innovative museum dedicated to uncovering, interpreting, and celebrating women’s diverse contributions to society. A renowned leader in women’s history education, the Museum brings to life the countless untold stories of women throughout history, and serves as a space for all to inspire, experience, collaborate, and amplify women’s impact—past, present, and future. We strive to fundamentally change the way women and girls see their potential and power.
The NWHM fills in major omissions of women in history books and K-12 education, providing scholarly content and educational programming for teachers, students, and parents. We reach more than five million visitors each year through our online content and education programming and, in March 2023, mounted our first physical exhibit at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in downtown Washington, DC, We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC. The Museum is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)3. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and visit us at womenshistory.org.