In the proudest moment of her naval career, Jenny Whitehead Pike helped process the earliest photographs of the D-Day invasion during the Second World War.
One of the first women to be trained as a photographer and photo technician, she was part of a groundbreaking wave of female recruits to the join the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS) during the war.
The Wrens, as they were known, played an integral role in Canada's war effort. While only serving ashore, their efforts were essential to the Allied victory and helped empower women by entrusting them with non-traditional roles and specific technical and operational responsibilities, making the Wrens far ahead of their time.
Pike was just such a trailblazer, determined to excel in what was considered a non-traditional role at the time.
Born in Winnipeg in 1922, she knew as early as age 11 that she wanted to be a photographer, often helping in her brother's photo lab. Later, this experience stood the young shutterbug in good stead when she was hired to work in the photography department of Eaton's department store.
In 1943, with the Second World War under way, Jenny's father helped her write to the Secretary of the Naval Board offering her services as a photographer.
His support was unusual in an era when many parents disapproved of their daughters joining military forces. There were no vacancies at the time, but Pike was encouraged to join the naval service as a probationary recruit.
The Wrens seemed…
Continue Reading This Article At The Canadian Armed Forces Website