Honoring Veterans: Navy Veteran Janie L. Mines

Janie Mines was born in 1958 in Aiken, South Carolina. In high school, she was a member of the National Honor Society and participated in Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC). Her academic success led her to graduate as the class salutatorian, making her a good candidate for the Naval Academy, which, until 1975, had not accepted female applicants. With her excellent grades, Mines was also accepted by every Ivy League university she applied to, but she felt her calling to the Navy.

With legislation change in 1976, Mines was amongst the first group of women allowed to enroll at the Naval Academy. But she wasn’t just one of the first women at the Naval Academy—she was the first Black woman. This was headline news, and she was even featured in “All Hands,” a U.S. Navy magazine, alongside her sister, who likewise was accepted by the Naval Academy in in 1978.

In her Navy career, Mines sailed the USS Emory S. Land (AS-39), was assigned to the Navy Annex of the Pentagon, and served as the senior advisor for business processes for the Secretary of the Navy. After serving, she became an author and continued helping other female students in the Academy as she believed it was best to “pay it forward and be there for others.” 

We honor her service.

Nominate a Veteran for Honoring Veterans

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s Honoring Veterans social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Writer: Mariah Bailey

Editors: Kinsey Spratt, Lillian Williams

Researchers: Charmonie Baugh, Kelsey Burchard

Graphic Designer: Alyssa Favorito