Joan Bynum
United States Navy nurse
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Joan Carolyn Bynum (born September 5, 1934) was an African-American United States Navy nurse. In 1978, she became the first black woman to be promoted to the rank of Captain in the 203-year history of the U.S. Navy.
Captain Joan C. Bynum (retired) | |
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| Born | September 5, 1934 |
| Allegiance | United States |
| United States Navy Nurse Corps | Navy |
| Service years | 1958-1981 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Awards | National Defense Service Medal |
| Alma mater | Meharry Medical College Indiana University |
Biography
Bynum was born on September 5, 1943, in Gary, Indiana.[1][2] Growing up in Gary during World War II, she remembered her uncle's letters home while serving in the Navy as a petty officer.[3] Inspired by his service, it became her dream to serve in the Navy. Bynum attended Meharry Medical College and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing in 1957.[4] After passing her state licensing board examinations, she and enlisted in the Navy as an ensign in 1958.[3]
Navy service
Bynum's first tour of duty was in California, where served two years at Naval Hospital San Diego.[5] Early in her career, she was assigned to duty stations in Portsmouth, Virginia, Chelsea, New York and Rota, Spain.[5] She became a lieutenant commander in January 1966.[2][6][7] During her Navy service, Bynum recalled experiencing discrimination both by virtue of her race and also due to her gender.[3][8]
Bynum was later transferred to Naval Station Great Lakes where she worked in the labor and delivery ward, infectious disease unit and coronary care unit.[5] While serving at Naval Station Great Lakes, Bynum applied for a Navy scholarship for graduate school. She was accepted and enrolled in a pediatric nursing program at Indiana University.[3] Bynum graduated from Indiana University in 1971.[4]
Captain appointment
In 1978, Bynum was a pediatrics nurse stationed in Yokosuka, Japan when she was promoted to the rank of captain. She was 44 years old and had twenty years of Naval service.[9][10] With her promotion, she became the first black woman to attain the rank of captain in the 203-year history of the United States Navy.[11][12][13]
After her appointment, Captain Bynum served as the assistant director of Nursing at Naval Hospital Yokosuka.[3] Bynum retired from the Navy in 1981.[14][15]