Sgt. Mary Virginia Nardy

In 1943 artist Francis V. Kughler, Hudson River Museum Director H. Armour Smith and Women’s Army Corps recruiter Joanne Coates conceived a plan to encourage women of Yonkers to enlist in the army and honor their contribution. Every Yonkers woman who joined the WACs would have her portrait made in oil or pastel by Kughler.

Working in France after D-Day, Virginia Nardy served as a telephone operator and received a Theater Certificate of Merit for her outstanding performance of duty.

Before enlisting as an Air-WAC with the Army Air Forces, she had been an active Air Raid Warden as part of the Office of Civilian Defense. Nardy was active in many clubs and activities, including the Yonkers Republicans and even the Yonkers Motorcycle Club.