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.