A pioneering life honored

Toni Friedenberg is a trail blazer.

During World War II, Friedenberg, 84, of Newport Beach joined the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, or WAVES, and worked in the U.S. Navy’s communications department.

She was among 100,000 women who served in the WAVES, contributing to the war effort on the home front.

After serving from 1943 to 1946, Friedenberg was honorably discharged as a chief yeoman. More than a decade later in Los Angeles in 1960, she was sworn in as the first female deputy district attorney. She retired from the law profession in 1984.

In 1948, the New Orleans native joined the district attorney’s office in Los Angeles as a stenographer. After working as stenographer, she worked as court clerk and court reporter.

Thinking it would help her work as a court clerk, she enrolled in night classes at the Southwestern University School of Law. After a few classes, she became interested in the profession and earned a law degree.

Friedenberg was not only a pioneer in the Los Angeles district attorney’s office, but she is a cancer survivor as well, said Oakley Jordan, spokesman for Friends of Oasis, a nonprofit group that raises funds and sponsors activities at Oasis Senior Center.

“She has broken down so many barriers. She had all kinds of obstacles and she overcame them,” Jordan said. “She’s a survivor. She has a great attitude. She is someone you want to be around with.”

Last Friday at the senior center she was among a group of veterans honored at the center in observance of Veterans Day.

A black and white photo of Friedenberg in her Navy uniform was posted on a bulletin board next to photos of other veterans.

Sitting in her bright and airy town house on Friday, Friedenberg recounted memories of her years with the WAVES.

She joined the Navy in 1943, after turning 21.

“I joined because I liked the Navy uniforms better than the [Army] brown ones,” a joking Friedenberg said.

The former prosecutor said she joined the WAVES out of a sense of patriotism. Her sense of duty and patriotism may have come from her mother, Mercedes, who signed up to work for Lockheed, an aerospace company that produced aircraft used in the war.

“After raising five children, my mother wanted to help the war effort,” Friedenberg said.

She was stationed in San Diego during her 3 1/2 years with the WAVES.

In October, 315 women who served in the WAVES and in other military sea service reunited on a cruise ship. At the reunion, Friedenberg spoke to friends she hadn’t seen in many years.

Friedenberg has survived breast cancer and a stroke.

She keeps a positive outlook on life by doing volunteer work. She recently joined the senior center and intends to stay informed about important issues affecting seniors.

“She is an inspiration to all,” Jordan said.