Military Pioneer. A founding member of the Women's Army Corps (WAC) during World War II, she rose to become its director then began a second long life as a respected Alaska philanthropist. Raised in Pittsburgh, she graduated from Margaret Morrison Carnegie College (now part of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh) and from the University of Pittsburgh and was working as an assistant school principal at the onset of World War II. Desiring to aid the war effort, she joined what was then the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps and was initially placed in charge of training new recruits in Iowa. Staying with the WAC after the name was changed and it was made a permanent part of the Army in 1947, she served in positions of increasing responsibility in both the United States and Europe while working to allow her ladies to serve in combat support fields and to receive veteran's benefits. Promoted to Colonel and named Director of the WAC by President Eisenhower in 1957, she was reappointed by President Kennedy, but, in 1961, was to meet and marry wealthy Alaska oil and banking magnate Elmer Rasmuson. Retiring from the Army, she moved to Alaska and quickly adjusted to a new life. A major contributor to Alaskan causes, she worked to improve conditions for the native population, was active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Republican Women's Club, and endowed the Anchorage Museum. Mrs. Rasmuson lived out her days in Anchorage and died of the effects of advanced age. At her death, the Rheumatic Disease Center at Seattle's Virginia Mason Hospital and a theater at the Smithsonian's American Indian Museum carry the names of her and Mr. Rasmuson. Her military decorations include the Legion of Merit.
Military Pioneer. A founding member of the Women's Army Corps (WAC) during World War II, she rose to become its director then began a second long life as a respected Alaska philanthropist. Raised in Pittsburgh, she graduated from Margaret Morrison Carnegie College (now part of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh) and from the University of Pittsburgh and was working as an assistant school principal at the onset of World War II. Desiring to aid the war effort, she joined what was then the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps and was initially placed in charge of training new recruits in Iowa. Staying with the WAC after the name was changed and it was made a permanent part of the Army in 1947, she served in positions of increasing responsibility in both the United States and Europe while working to allow her ladies to serve in combat support fields and to receive veteran's benefits. Promoted to Colonel and named Director of the WAC by President Eisenhower in 1957, she was reappointed by President Kennedy, but, in 1961, was to meet and marry wealthy Alaska oil and banking magnate Elmer Rasmuson. Retiring from the Army, she moved to Alaska and quickly adjusted to a new life. A major contributor to Alaskan causes, she worked to improve conditions for the native population, was active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Republican Women's Club, and endowed the Anchorage Museum. Mrs. Rasmuson lived out her days in Anchorage and died of the effects of advanced age. At her death, the Rheumatic Disease Center at Seattle's Virginia Mason Hospital and a theater at the Smithsonian's American Indian Museum carry the names of her and Mr. Rasmuson. Her military decorations include the Legion of Merit.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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COL. USA RET.
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