Dorothy Constance Stratton | |
|---|---|
 Capt. Dorothy Stratton during World War II | |
| Born | March 24, 1899 Brookfield, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | September 17, 2006 (aged 107) West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Coast Guard |
| Years of service | 1942–1946 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Commands | SPARS |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
| Awards | Legion of Merit (1946) |
| Other work | Director of Personnel (1947–1950), International Monetary Fund; Executive Director (1950–1960), Girl Scouts of the USA |
Dorothy Constance Stratton (March 24, 1899 – September 17, 2006) is best known as the first director of the SPARS, the U.S. Coast Guard Women's Reserve.
In 1942, she became the first woman to be commissioned an officer in U.S. Coast Guard and is credited with giving its Women's Reserve program the name of SPARS, an acronym created from the Coast Guard motto, Semper Paratus, and its English translation, Always Ready. Lieutenant Commander Stratton attained the rank of captain in February 1944 and served as director of the SPARS from 1942 until January 1946. She was also a trailblazer for women in other areas. She became Purdue University's first full-time Dean of Women (1933–1942) and the first director of personnel at the International Monetary Fund (1947–1950). Stratton also served as the national executive director of the Girl Scouts of the USA (1950–1960).
Stratton was the recipient of awards for her public service and leadership that included a Legion of Merit for her contributions to women in the military, the Ottawa University Alumni Association's Outstanding Achievement Award, and the University of Chicago's Alumni Association's Public Service Award. She was awarded honorary degrees from several American colleges and universities, such as Ottawa University, Smith College, and Purdue University, among others. Stratton is the namesake of the Coast Guard's third National Security Cutter, the USCGC Stratton (WMSL-752), the first National Security Cutter to be named after a woman.