Who were the first five African-American women to enter the SPARs?

Who were the first five African-American women to enter the SPARs?

• A. Olivia Hooker, D. Winifred Byrd, Julia Mosley, Yvonne Cumberbatch, and Aileen Cooke
• B. Olivia Hooker, D. Winifred Byrd, Julia Mosley, Rosa Parks, and Aileen Cooke
• C. Olivia Hooker, D. Winifred Byrd, Ella Baker, Yvonne Cumberbatch, and Aileen Cooke
• D. Olivia Hooker, D. Winifred Byrd, Julia Mosley, Yvonne Cumberbatch, and Rosa Parks

Answer: (A)

Recognizing the first African-American women to join the Navy’s SPARS highlights a milestone in military integration during World War II. The five named—Olivia Hooker, D. Winifred Byrd, Julia Mosley, Yvonne Cumberbatch, and Aileen Cooke—are the individuals documented as the earliest Black women to enter the SPARS, reflecting the initial steps toward desegregation within the Navy’s women’s reserve. Rosa Parks and Ella Baker are renowned for their civil rights work, but they did not serve in the SPARS, which is why they aren’t part of this early group.

Recognizing the first African-American women to join the Navy’s SPARS highlights a milestone in military integration during World War II. The five named—Olivia Hooker, D. Winifred Byrd, Julia Mosley, Yvonne Cumberbatch, and Aileen Cooke—are the individuals documented as the earliest Black women to enter the SPARS, reflecting the initial steps toward desegregation within the Navy’s women’s reserve.

Rosa Parks and Ella Baker are renowned for their civil rights work, but they did not serve in the SPARS, which is why they aren’t part of this early group.