From Waves to the Orlando VA: A Century of Strength with Dorothy Rudd
Dorothy “Pat” Rudd, a 103-year-old World War II U.S. Navy Veteran, has lived a life of service, pioneering the way for women in the military.
As one of the first 200 members of the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) deployed overseas, Rudd helped shape history during a time when women’s roles in the armed forces were still being defined.
Born in Peoria, Illinois, Rudd enlisted in 1942, following in the footsteps of her brother. Her service took her to the then-Territory of Hawai’i, where she worked as an educator, teaching fellow service members literacy skills. Additionally, Rudd played a vital role in the war effort by helping in hospitals and caring for injured soldiers.
“I wanted to do my part,” Rudd said. “My brother joined, and I felt inspired to follow the same path. I knew I could make a difference.”
Among her most emotional memories of service was helping sailors communicate with their families while they were away at sea.
Rudd recalls, “I remember taking the time to sit with them and assist in writing letters home. For some, it was their sole connection to their loved ones. It meant the world to them, and it meant everything to me.”
Three years after the end of World War II, in 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act into law, allowing women to serve as full, permanent members of all military branches. The act solidified the role of female service members like Rudd, paving the way for future generations.
After the war, Rudd settled in Orlando, Florida, with her husband. For many years, she was unaware of the healthcare services available to her through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It wasn’t until her daughter urged her to seek better care that she visited the Orlando VA Healthcare System. It was Rudd’s daughter who urged her to seek better healthcare, prompting her to visit the Orlando VA.
“I took my bag of medicine to the VA, and the doctor took one look and said, ‘While you’re here, let’s run some tests,’” Rudd recalled. “When I came back two weeks later, he threw everything away except my thyroid medicine. From that moment, I knew I’d be with the VA for life.”
Now a resident of the Community Living Center (CLC) at the Orlando VA Healthcare System, Rudd speaks highly of the care she receives.
“I couldn’t ask for a better place to be,” Rudd said. “The VA has been excellent to me, very helpful in every way. It was the best decision I ever made.”
Joelle Robles, a social worker at the CLC, has had the privilege of working closely with Rudd and witnessing her strength and resilience.
“Ms. Rudd is an incredible woman with a remarkable story,” Robles said. “Her journey reminds us how far women in the military have come, and she continues to inspire everyone she meets. It’s an honor to be part of her journey.”
As Women’s History Month is celebrated every March, Rudd’s story serves as a testament to the perseverance and contributions of female service members. Her legacy continues to inspire, proving that service and sacrifice know no gender.
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About the Orlando VA Healthcare System: Established in 2006, the Orlando VA Healthcare System is one of the leading healthcare systems serving more than 142,000 Veterans in the VA Sunshine Health Care Network, offering health care services at 11 locations serving east central Florida. Recently recognized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the healthcare system received 5 out of 5 stars in overall hospital quality. The healthcare system has also been given 5-star recognition for patient experience by Becker’s Hospital Review and was awarded the 2024 Patient Safety Program of Excellence designation from the Veterans Health Administration’s National Center for Patient Safety.
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