Joy Blight Hancock was born and raised in New Jersey.  She was born in 1898. Joy was attending school in Philadelphia when a Secretary decided to enlist women in the Naval Reserve.  Hancock applied for the job and shortly after, she began to work for a construction firm that made ships for the Navy in Camden New Jersey. She inspired war posters, which made her one of the best known volunteers. When victory was declared, she wanted to stay in the navy, but couldn't because they didn't need women anymore.
     When world war II started she started the Navy's WAVE's (women accepted for volunteer emergency service.   While serving in the WAVE's, she was one of two women allowed to wear a victory ribbon on her uniform. This ribbon stated that she was part of World War I.  When world war II ended she became director of the WAVE's, and later became captain. She spent until her retirement trying to get women to broaden their horizons of thinking, and performing, which was no small task because of the men's biased opinions.
     She died in 1986, but her memory lives on. Today there is an award given called the Joy Bright Hancock award that is presented to a woman in the navy that showed exceptional leadership skills, just like the ones she had.