Patricia Denkler

Creating the timeline mural for the Women of the Navy exhibit was a deeply enriching experience. One woman I featured in the mural was Patricia Denkler, the first U.S. Navy woman to be carrier qualified in a jet aircraft when she landed aboard the USS Lexington in September 1982.

Upon reaching out to her, Patricia eagerly embraced the opportunity to visit the museum, even though the exhibit is not yet open to the public. During her visit, she graciously participated in oral interviews and brought artifacts from her Navy service for our archives. Meeting Patricia was a memorable highlight; her warmth and personal stories added significant depth to the exhibit. I had the privilege of taking a photo with her, and she even recreated her iconic pose next to her portrait on the mural, connecting her legacy with the museum's new exhibit. This experience showed me the impact of personal connections and firsthand accounts in bringing historical exhibits to life.