Catherine Gaines

BIOGRAPHY

Catherine Gaines was born in Washington, D.C., USA, on 9 November 1916. She was born to John Gaines and Marie (Mary) Fuller. Her mother owned a restaurant in Brinklow, Maryland. She graduated from Cardozo High School and attended college in Washington, D.C.

When World War II broke out, she wanted to do her part and joined the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in 1943. She served for two years, eventually attaining the rank of Second Lieutenant. During her service, she was stationed in Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, and Chicago. Afterward, she continued working with the Armed Forces as a civilian employee in the Washington, D.C., area, remaining in the position until her retirement 30 years later.

However, retirement did not mean stepping away from public service. She simply turned her attention to a different kind of service, volunteering at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington. Although she spent her entire life in Washington, D.C., she also spent her summers in Sandy Spring, Maryland, and lived in Hillandale, Maryland, for a time.

RECOGNITION

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ATTRIBUTION

* “Catherine Gaines” – Sandy Spring Slave Museum and African Art Gallery

* “Happy Birthday, Ms. Catherine!” – John Tanner’s Barbecue Blog, 9 November 2023

GALLERY

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