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.
Jeannette Henriques worked in Tarrytown at GM Eastern Aircraft before becoming a WAC. After basic training she was shipped to Indiana for Medical Technician School.