10 Service to the Fleet, September 2014

Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Tool Control Manager Laura Herrin knows she’s part of something remarkable. Not only is she part

of three generations that have worked in NNSY Tool Control, but three generations of women. Interestingly, all were hired for other positions at the shipyard. At a time women on the waterfront were few and far between, Dora Walters was hired as a Boilermaker in 1976. Eventually injuring her hand, she transferred to Tool Control. Her daughter Laura Herrin started at NNSY in 1987 as a Painter Helper and worked several different positions before joining Tool Control. Herrin’s daughter Jessica Younger started as a Laborer June 30 and was transferred to Tool Control along with several other Laborers. The sense of pride and purpose courses through the generations. Four of Walters’ five children followed Mom’s footsteps through the shipyard gates, with two still here—her son, John Worrel, is a 32-year shipyard veteran currently serving as Rigging Zone Manager on USS Albany (SSN 753).

Tool FixturesThree generations of women in NNSY’s Tool ControlBy Michael Brayshaw NNSY Lead Public Affairs Specialist

“Mom had such a strong work ethic, and always talked about what a great place this is,” said Herrin. “She was always at work. She came into [the shipyard] during the blizzard of 1980. She pushed us all to excel. The shipyard has been a part of our lives almost all our lives.” Even today, at 77 years old, Walters fondly looks back at her time at NNSY. “I enjoyed the shipyard,” she said. “It was interesting.” During her decade in Tool Control, Walters input tool report data and tracked delinquent returns. This put her in a unique position to monitor her shipyard children. “Mom used to call us to make sure we weren’t on the delinquent list. She’d say, ‘you better return your tools!’” said Herrin. Recalling a highlight in her varied shipyard career, Herrin said, “When I first went to the Tool Control office, it was coincidentally, the same space my mom was in—the same desk and the same phone number! That was definitely different and real surreal.” Describing the significance of Tool Control, Herrin said, “I feel that,

Dora Walters and her daughter, Laura Herrin.

Service to the Fleet, September 2014 11

without the tools [to work on them], those ships are not going to go back out.

I feel like my team is responsible for every piece of work done in the shipyard. I have lots of pride in having a great team. It’s a collective effort.” Now taking part in that collective effort is Younger. She joined NNSY June 30 as a Laborer, a job recently reestablished at the shipyard. Younger was amongst the 10 folks issued to Code 960’s Shop 56, which Group Superintendent Kenny Swinson provided to Tool Control given

its personnel needs. Now in Tool Control’s Safety Section, Younger performs inspections as part of “the first line of defense” in keeping waterfront workers safe. “We do respirators, hard hats, anything safety related. It’s really important,” said Younger. She recalls that

for years her mom “was wanting me to get in the shipyard. I was like, ‘eh, I don’t want to! No, no, no.’ I was young. I really loved what I did. I was originally a dog groomer for a small business, but the shop started going under.” With two children to support and her mother’s repeated suggestions echoing in her ears, Younger needed a steady business, like one that’s been open for 247 years. Her thoughts on the shipyard now? “I love it! I should have done it sooner.” Tim Gregory, Nuclear Tool Room supervisor, has worked in Tool Control for 35 years and has now known all three generations. Reflecting on a characteristic they all share, he recalls, “One thing Dora used to do was run a daily report and she would catch every mistake that the tool people would make. That phone would ring at 8 o’clock every morning. She would catch everything, and I see that same quality they all have.” There’s even a chance that the family legacy in Tool Control will continue to expand. Younger has two daughters, prompting Worrel to joke about “four generations” working in the department. It seems their mom would be okay with that. “I feel a lot of pride, being here with my family,” said Younger.

Dora Walters

Jessica Younger and her mother, Laura Herrin. (Photo by Shanyne Hensley, Shipyard Photographer)

Illustration by Chris Watt, Code 1160