Oveta Culp Hobby helps organize, and then commands, the Women’s Army Corps
Oveta Culp Hobby was named Director of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (later called the Women’s Army Corps), which was created to fill gaps left by the shortage of men. Hobby rose to the rank of Colonel and was the first woman in the Army to receive the Distinguished Service Medal for her efforts during the war. Hobby, a Junior League of Houston member, later became the first secretary of the new Department of Health, Education and Welfare (now called the Department of Health and Human Services).
Oveta Culp Hobby was honored by the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1996.