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4 N  San Jose Mercury News, August 27  1980

Former WAVE wants area unit organized
By Fave Boquist
Staff Writer

[[Picture]]
[[note]] Gloria Johnson ... Would join up again[[\note]]

The draft for women is not a fearful issue for Gloria Johnson of Cupertino.

A member of the WAVES during the Korean War, Mrs. Johnson, 47, would seriously considering joining up again.

She had her old spirit renewed when she attended the WAVES National First Convention in Sacramento this summer. Now she is launching a Bay Area WAVES unit. 

The pre-convention goal was to locate as many of the 180,000 former WAVES as possible, according to the Cupertino artist and mother of two. Delegates also drew up a character for WAVES national Corporation.

The primary focus, explained Mrs. Johnson, is to inform the women of available benefits.

"An ex-WAVE appears to be an endangered species," said Mrs. Johnson, "but she shouldn't be. When we were discharged, we were told about our rights - but that was a long time ago.

"I received my art degree through the GI Bill and I am going to have arm surgery through my veterans' benefits," she continued."

Future meetings will discuss pensions, hospitalization and other benefits, she said. The first organizational session will be held at her home in Cupertino Sunday, Aug. 31, at 2 p.m. Former WAVES may call her at 255-1717 for more information.

Mrs. Johnson joined the WAVES at age 18 and served in special services, (picture) which included entertaining Navy personnel in dramatic production. At one time, she shared the stage with Jack Imel of the Lawrence Welk show.

She later became a flight stewardess for Military Air Transport Service - traveling to Tokyo, Hawaii, Bermuda, The Azores, London, Wake and Midway Island.

"A most exciting and educational time," declared Mrs. Johnson, who later polished her acting talents while a student at De Anza College

She laments the "apathy" in many of today's young women and says: "Maybe when we get organized we can get out there and talk to more of them and try to make them see that strength is the surest way to keep safe."