In 1944, sixteen African American sailors arrived at Great Lakes for a groundbreaking officers’ training course. Thirteen of those men would become the first African American commissioned officers in Navy history. In this program, we explore the experiences of the Golden Thirteen at Great Lakes, their time in the fleet, and the lasting legacy of these pioneers.

In 1944, sixteen African American sailors arrived at Great Lakes for a groundbreaking officers’ training course. Thirteen of those men would become the first African American commissioned officers in Navy history. In this program, we explore the experiences of the Golden Thirteen at Great Lakes, their time in the fleet, and the lasting legacy of these pioneers.

About the Speaker - Tricia Menke:

Tricia Menke developed a lifelong love of history at an early age, devouring historical fiction and nonfiction books alike and traveling to historic sites with her dad. After graduating high school in 2009, Tricia moved to Pennsylvania to attend Gettysburg College. During her undergraduate career, Tricia completed internships with the Elgin Area Historical Museum and the National Park Service at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. Tricia completed her Bachelor of Arts in 2013 with a major in History and minor in English. Upon graduation, Tricia pursued a Master of Arts in Museum Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Tricia began her museum career at the Ellwood House Museum in DeKalb, Illinois as the Curator of Education and Interpretation. Tricia has also worked in the education department at Naper Settlement. In September 2018, Tricia started as a Contract Curator at the National Museum of the American Sailor where she helped in the Education Department as well as researched for the museum’s exhibits. In May of 2019, Tricia became the museum’s Curator of Education. As Curator of Education, Tricia manages the museum’s Education Department and continues to assist with the research and development of museum exhibits.

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