Gladys Boomer

Gladys Boomer was born on January 15, 1924, in Columbus, Montana, as the youngest of seven children. After graduating from high school in 1942, she moved to Long Beach, California, where she worked for McDonnell Aircraft, a role that proudly places her among the ranks of "Rosie the Riveter."

In January 1944, at the age of 20, Gladys enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Stationed at the Navy Hospital in San Diego, she quickly rose through the ranks. By December of that same year, she was promoted to Navy Chief Pharmacy Officer, becoming the first woman to eat at the Chiefs Mess Hall after being turned away from the regular mess for holding the rank of Chief. She served as the secretary to the head of the Naval Hospital.

After her service, Gladys moved to San Francisco in 1945 and graduated from Luxe Women’s College using the VA bill. In 1947, she toured the country with the Hormel Girls, working as both a performer and a salesperson. Two years later, she returned to San Francisco and took a position as a medical receptionist.

Gladys married Phillip Boomer in 1952. The couple raised four children in their longtime family home in Concord, California.