When the trumpet sounded during World War II, women answered the call to duty. The WASP, or Women Aircorps Service Pilots, were civilians who trained U.S. pilots for war and ferried aircraft. “Rosie the Riveter” became the nickname for the thousands of women who built airplanes and ships. Much like these heroes, Florida has a very small community of women who were appointed sheriff by the governor, upon the untimely deaths of their husbands who had been the elected sheriffs, paving the way for women to be accepted into the law enforcement profession.

In celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Office of Sheriff in Florida, the Florida Sheriffs Association has been conducting research regarding these women who had been appointed sheriff from the 1930s to 1970. A feature article in the Sheriffs Star is forthcoming.