Rare photo of women serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Authentic, original WWII era black and white photograph of a WAVE radio operator at the U.S. Naval Training School (W.R.) in the Bronx, New York. Official U.S. Navy photograph stamped on back. Measures approximately 8 x 10 including white border. Condition: This is an original photograph, not a copy or reproduction. It is in excellent condition with pin holes in corners. Comments: This WWII-era photograph was obtained through the estate of Dr. Achsa Mable Bean (1900-1975) and her life-long friend Dr. Barbara Stimpson (1898-1986). The photo comes from a collection (sold individually) which they acquired while serving during the war. Dr. Bean was an Assistant Chairman of the Department of Health at Vassar College; an instructor in medicine at the Strong Memorial and Rochester Municipal Hospitals; and Dean of Women and Assistant Professor of Zoology at the University of Maine. In 1943, Dr. Bean, commissioned as a lieutenant in the Naval Reserves, was stationed at the Naval Training School at Hunter College in Bronx, New York. Meanwhile, Dr. Stimson was an Associate-in-Surgery of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University; Assistant-Attending Surgeon at New Yorks Presbyterian Hospital; and a member of the Executive Committee of American Womens Hospitals. Both women have been profiled in numerous medical histories and journals. One of their most interesting positions prior to the U.S. involvement in WWII included service in the Royal Army Medical Corps in England which allowed them to review how the country organized their womens services during war time. An article from a London newspaper reported on their service and is shown in our third image and a photo copy will be included with this photo. Both women retired to their home in Owls Head, Maine where Dr. Bean died in 1975. Dr. Stimson passed away in Rockport, Maine in 1986.