Bernice Smith was an enthusiastic 20-year-old woman who stopped by a California recruiting office and was interested in signing up with the Navy. When she saw all of the young men enlisting, Bernice uttered the words, “Gee I wish I were a man; I’d join the Navy.” With these words, Bernice Smith immortalized herself in American history.
Bernice did not realize that one of America’s most famous illustrators, Howard Chandler Christy was present at the recruiting station. Captivated by what Bernice had said, Christy asked her to pose for a Navy recruitment poster. Bernice gladly accepted. Christy drew her dressed up in a sailor’s outfit, and he used her quote as the central message of the poster.
This poster was the first time sex appeal was used in a recruiting poster, encouraging men to join the Navy. Surprisingly, ten days after posing for the poster, Smith returned to the recruiting office and successfully enlisted in the Navy, becoming the first California woman to do so. She had a successful three years in the Navy and rose to the rank of Chief Yeoman. During World War II, Smith served another tour of duty with the Army.
Further Reading – They Said She Couldn’t So She Did – by Kendra Blevins Ford
View an Original at Maine Military Museum and Learning Center