Commander Eleanor Rigby came from a diverse background which included quite a lot of travel. Her father was involved with the Red Cross, so she was familiar with human services and felt a strong passion for humanitarianism. In 1942 she joined the Navy after working with the Connecticut Civilian Defense Council. Through a coincidental meeting with WAVES administrators during a business trip to New York, Eleanor became a member of the select group of elites. Reporting to Lieutenant Crandell she remained in New York and became a Junior Grade Lieutenant serving as a regimental commander for the recruits. Rigby encountered several logistical issues working with large groups of individuals from several area bases. She served in the New York Area under Elisabeth Crandell having minimal experience beyond common sense she struggled to adapt to the process at first but soon caught on. Enrollment in the WAVES held steady at 1,680 every two weeks but during its peak reached as much as 5,040. Eleanor was put in charge of coordinating uniforms and scheduling. Logistically the coordination of daily life for both Officers and WAVES was a gigantic task, so much so that meals on the base used enormous portions of ingredients, including 10,000 eggs, ½ ton of beans, and 1.5 tons of salt in one month. Nearly 25,000 pieces of laundry per week, 60,000 letters, 100 bags of packages, 2,000 sundaes or milk shakes and $5,000 of ship services daily. Despite the variety of issues that occurred within the ranks Rigby said that her overall experience was positive. Various recreational activities included music, & dancing, but between the regiment schedule and daily living necessities there was little spare time. Eleanor was well respected among her colleagues and her reputation followed her even post service. She describes many travels with her various roles in administration and logistics planning, with joyful remembrance as highlights in her distinguished career. Admittedly she laments that there was little time for frivolity and fun, but she did bend the rules occasionally and enjoy her island travels. Following her travels, she returned to Hunter as executive during its decommissioning to supervise the process then continuing her service in information and public relations. She had a short marriage which ended in amicable divorce. Throughout her storied career, Eleanor Grant Rigby understood the important balance between work and recreation and attended several parties and recreational functions in between her service assignments.