ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Crewmembers at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg hosted a luncheon to celebrate Women’s History Month at the sector, Friday.
Dorothy Kurtz, a member of the Coast Guard’s Women’s Reserve, commonly known as the SPARs, which stands for semper paratus, always ready, was the guest of honor during the luncheon.
Dorothy Kurtz was 21-years-old and living in Bronx, N.Y., when she enlisted in the Coast Guard during World War II. She was assigned to the SPARs, which existed at the time to release men to fight overseas by allowing women to do their stateside jobs.
At 91, she is a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 92 in North Port, Fla. Along with her daughter, Barbara Szymanski, she continues to travel the country for Coast Guard-related events.
Dorothy Kurtz, a member of the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve also known as Semper Paratus Always Ready, is shown holding a younger photo of herself during an event to celebrate Women’s History Month at the sector, March 22, 2013. The Women’s Reserve existed to free up men to fight overseas by allowing women to do their stateside jobs. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tara Molle)
