Dorothy Stratton U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Christening and Commissioning collection
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSP 111
Scope and Contents
This collection contains programs, a dvd, photographs and ephemera documenting the christening in 2010 and the commissioning in 2012 of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, named after Purdue University’s first full-time Dean of Women, Dorothy Stratton.
Dates
- 2010 - 2012
- Other: Date acquired: 04/10/2012
Creator
Access Information
Collection is open for research.
Copyright and Use Information
Copyright held by Purdue University. Consult with Purdue Archives and Special Collections prior to reproduction of materials.
Historical Information
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton is a Legend-class National Security Cutter, the largest and most technologically advanced class of cutter in the U.S. Coast Guard Fleet. The Stratton is named in honor of Dorothy Stratton, Director of the United States Coast Guard Women’s Reserve (known as SPARS).
Dorothy Constance Stratton (1899-2006) served as Dean of Women at Purdue from 1933 until 1946, at a time in which the enrollment of women students jumped from less than 500 to more than 1,400. During her tenure at Purdue, she oversaw the creation of a liberal science program for women in the School of Science as well as an employment placement center. She helped established the Housemother Training School that gave intensive training to fraternity and sorority housemothers from across the United States.
In 1942, during the Second World War, Stratton took a military leave of absence from Purdue and was commissioned to create and direct the Women’s Reserve of the Coast Guard (WAVES). She was soon called upon to create and direct the SPARS, an acronym she coined based on the Coast Guard motto "Semper Paratus" and its English translation "always ready.". Upon her retirement from the military in 1946, she was awarded a Legion of Merit Medal for her contributions to women in the armed forces. Stratton went on to serve as the first director of personnel at the International Monetary Fund and then later as an executive director of the Girl Scouts of the America until her retirement in 1960.
Dorothy Constance Stratton (1899-2006) served as Dean of Women at Purdue from 1933 until 1946, at a time in which the enrollment of women students jumped from less than 500 to more than 1,400. During her tenure at Purdue, she oversaw the creation of a liberal science program for women in the School of Science as well as an employment placement center. She helped established the Housemother Training School that gave intensive training to fraternity and sorority housemothers from across the United States.
In 1942, during the Second World War, Stratton took a military leave of absence from Purdue and was commissioned to create and direct the Women’s Reserve of the Coast Guard (WAVES). She was soon called upon to create and direct the SPARS, an acronym she coined based on the Coast Guard motto "Semper Paratus" and its English translation "always ready.". Upon her retirement from the military in 1946, she was awarded a Legion of Merit Medal for her contributions to women in the armed forces. Stratton went on to serve as the first director of personnel at the International Monetary Fund and then later as an executive director of the Girl Scouts of the America until her retirement in 1960.
Extent
0.182 Cubic Feet (One letter-size half-width manuscript box)
2.82 Gigabytes
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
The Dorothy Stratton U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Christening and Commissioning collection is organized topically into two series.
- Christening
- Commissioning
Technical Access Information
Born-digital content is found in Series 1, Christening. These records have been processed and digital use copies can only be accessed in the Purdue Archives and Special Collections reading room. Contact an archivist at least 48 hours in advance if interested in using this material.
Acquisition Information
The christening ceremony material was sent by the U.S. Coast Guard in response to a request by a staff archivist on October 28, 2010. The commissioning ceremony material was donated by archivist Sammie Morris, who attended the ceremony on March 31, 2012. An additional commissioning pamphlet containing biographical information was donated by Coast Guard staff who were at Purdue for an event honoring Dorothy Stratton and the VACCINE center on July 26, 2012. Addition 04 consisting of a photograph related to the commissioning ceremony was received from an unknown donor in 2024.
Processing Information
All materials have been housed in acid-free boxes and folders. Addition 04 was added to the collection in June 2024.
Creator
- Title
- Dorothy Stratton U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Christening and Commissioning collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jonathan McConnell and Sara Pettinger.
- Date
- 2024-06-20
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
- Edition statement
- Third edition. Collection description first completed in 2012.
Revision Statements
- 2012-09-18: Revised by EW.
- 2013-03-05: Revised by Jonathan McConnell.
- 2024-06-20: Addition 04 added to collection and collection description updated by Sara Pettinger.
Repository Details
Part of the Purdue University Archives and Special Collections Repository
Contact:
504 Mitch Daniels Boulevard
West Lafayette Indiana 47907 United States
765-494-2839
archives@purdue.edu
504 Mitch Daniels Boulevard
West Lafayette Indiana 47907 United States
765-494-2839
archives@purdue.edu