She joined the U.S. Navy at the end of World War I in 1918, enlisting, against her parents' wishes, at the age of 22 in Portsmouth, Ohio. Her mother told her to "come home right this instant!" upon hearing of her decision. Navy Secretary Josephus Daniels had asked women to enlist in the Naval Reserve, so sailors in it could fight, as American entry into World War I loomed. About 12,000 women served in the Navy during the war, known as "Yeomanettes". Hardin was stationed in Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, from September 1918 to March 1919 as a clerk. After 1920 women were not allowed to serve in the Navy until the outbreak of World War II.[2][1]
She then moved back to Portsmouth, Ohio and married the first of four husbands, all of whom she outlived. She had three sons and a daughter from this marriage. All three sons served in World War II.[2][3]
Hardin attended the October 18, 1997 ceremonies dedicating the Women in Military Service for America Memorial. She was a featured speaker to the crowd of around 30,000 people, along with then-Vice President Al Gore. An obituary published in the Los Angeles Times wrote that "Harden easily upstaged" the other speakers. She spoke for ten minutes.[2][1][4]
