Ship Shape Sisters: The Women of the Coast Guard SPARS
A historical overview of the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve, the experiences of the service women, and the ways in which the SPARS have been memorialized.
The exhibit explored the United States Coast Guard Women's Reserve, commonly known as the SPARS. The nickname SPARS came from the first letters of each word in the Coast Guard’s Latin motto and its English translation: Semper Paratus, Always Ready. The Reserve was established on November 23, 1942, marking the first time women were allowed to enlist in the Coast Guard on a large scale.
The exhibit provided a historical overview and explored the role of gender in the experience of enlisted servicemembers in the SPARS through three themes, the first of which was idealized experience. This theme examined how glamorized versions of the Women’s Reserve were used in recruitment efforts and to influence public perception of women being enlisted in the Coast Guard. Artifacts illustrating this theme included recruitment posters and archival materials given to prospective enlistees, a recruitment video, and uniforms.
The next theme investigated is personal experience, and considered the lives and stories of a select group of SPARS. By exploring the experiences of these women, visitors could compare similarities and differences between the image of the Women’s Reserve portrayed by the Coast Guard and the lived experiences of the SPARS themselves. Artifacts included personal photographs, a facsimile of a SPAR’s service scrapbook, and uniforms.
The memorialization of the SPARS was the final theme of this exhibition. The Women’s Reserve was disbanded in 1973 when women became eligible to serve alongside men in active duty and reserve capacities. This theme reviews some of the efforts made to preserve the memory of the SPARS organization. Artifacts demonstrating this theme included archival materials from various reunions of the servicewomen and objects related to SPARS’ involvement in the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival.
Woven throughout the exhibit were a number of Tri-Cities connections. Seven women were inducted into the Women’s Reserve at Escanaba Park (then Kelly Park) as part of a memorial service commemorating the loss of the Escanaba. Several women from the Tri-Cities area served as SPARS themselves. Following their service, many former SPARS from across the United States attended the Grand Haven Coast Guard, participating in various events, including marching in the Grand Parade.