Ranger Roll Call, 1940-1949

The tables below list the women working as rangers, naturalists, guides, and other uniformed positions from 1934-1949 together with their official titles, dates of employment, and the parks where they worked. The tables are organized by year to illustrate how many (or rather how few) women were in uniformed positions in any given year at individual parks and across the NPS.

All positions were temporary unless annotated with a [P] (for permanent) after the woman’s name. WAE means “when actually employed.” This is generally equivalent to today’s subject-to-furlough positions meaning that the women could be laid off when not needed or she may have only worked part time. "Per diem" positions were paid on a daily basis, without formal appointments.

Note that this article is a work in progress and information will be updated as it becomes available.

1940

Table 1: 1940 Uniformed Women

Name	Park	Dates	Official Title	Comments
Enid Michael	Yosemite	May 1-Oct 15	Park Ranger (Naturalist)
Elva Lorraine “Sunshine” Tharp	El Morro	Oct 3-Nov 5	Guide, WAE	Paid $4/day. Also painted signs and did clerk and office work
Georgia Akers	Aztec Ruins		Park Ranger (Naturalist)?
Joyce Chubb	Aztec Ruins		Park Ranger (Naturalist)?
Zelda Mae Abrams	Aztec Ruins		Park Ranger (Naturalist)?
Jean McWhirt [P]	Mesa Verde	May 29-Oct 23	Museum Assistant	Returned to duty
Mariana D. Baggley	Colonial		Assistant Historical Aide?
Myra Appell	Carlsbad Caverns	Jan-Jun	Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)?	In 1940 protection force group photo
Anita "Nita" Armstrong	Carlsbad Caverns		Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)?	In 1940 protection force group photo. Fun aside: First woman in New Mexico to earn her pilot's license
Alma Daniels	Carlsbad Caverns		Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)?	In 1940 protection group photo
Marguerite "Rita" Walker	Carlsbad Caverns		Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)?	Although the Park Service Bulletin reported that she resigned her position October 31, 1939, she is in the 1940 protection group photo
Gertrude S. Cooper	Vanderbilt Mansion	June-Dec	Superintendent	No photos of her in uniform but should have worn one and was on the uniform committee

1941

Table 2: 1941 Uniformed Women

Name	Park	Dates	Official Title	Comments
Enid Michael	Yosemite	May 1-Oct 31	Park Ranger (Naturalist)
Jean McWhirt [P]	Mesa Verde	May 24-Oct 30	Museum Assistant	Returned to duty
Myra Appell	Carlsbad Caverns	Feb-?	Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)?
Anita "Nita" Armstrong	Carlsbad Caverns
Alberta Turrill	Carlsbad Caverns	Jul 2-Oct 11	Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)?
Madge Bryan	Carlsbad Caverns	Jul 13-Sep 19	Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)?
Georgia Akers	Aztec Ruins			Photographed in uniform
Joyce Clubb	Aztec Ruins			Photographed in uniform
Zelda Abrams	Aztec Ruins			Photographed in uniform
Florence Bankhead	National Capital Parks, Lee Mansion	Feb 1-Apr 1	Chief, National Memorials and Historic Sites	Worked for US House of Representatives, 1920-1933. Widow of Speaker of the House.

1942

Table 3: 1942 Uniformed Women

Name	Park	Dates	Official Title	Comments
Enid Michael	Yosemite	May 4-Sep 30	Park Ranger (Naturalist)	Her last season.
Marguerite “Peg” Lindsley Arnold	Yellowstone	Sep 15-Nov 05	Park Ranger	Although she had a uniform from her earlier appointments, not sure if she wore it a decade later!
Louise Chapman	Yellowstone	Sep 18-Oct 22	Park Ranger	In her oral history she says she didn’t wear a uniform at this time. Wife of a ranger.
Kathryn Bauman	Yellowstone	3 weeks	Park Ranger	Unlikely that she work a uniform given the short appointment. Wife of a ranger.
Marjorie A. Sommerville	Yellowstone	Sep-Oct (3 weeks)	Park Ranger	Unlikely that she work a uniform given the short appointment. Wife of a ranger.
Margaret E. Watson	Yellowstone	Sep 15-? (2 weeks)	Park Ranger	In her oral history, she says she didn’t wear a uniform.
Lois Kowski	Yellowstone	3 days!	Park Ranger	Unlikely that she work a uniform given the short appointment.
Esther M. Johnston	Yellowstone		Park Ranger	Did not work in 1943, 1944, or 1945
Clara J. “Ann” Lausten	Pinnacles	Oct	Clerk-Typist	Superintendent Hawkins decided she should wear uniform. First woman at the park.
Ethel L. Meinzer	Scotts Bluff	Aug 3-Dec 31		Clerk-stenographer at Rocky brough in on detail. First woman to wear uniform at Scotts Bluff.
Jean McWhirt Pinkley [P]	Mesa Verde	May 13-Nov 28	Museum Assistant	Returned to duty. Married in 1942. Declined to return to duty 5/29/1943.
Marguerite "Rita" Walker	Carlsbad Caverns		Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)
Myra Appell	Carlsbad Caverns		Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)
Roberta Whittington	Carlsbad Caverns		Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)	Did not have nursing background.
Florence A. Armstrong	Carlsbad Caverns	?-Jun 15	Per diem nurse?	Relief nurse. She resigned June 15.
Madge Bryan	Carlsbad Caverns	Exact dates unknown	Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)?	Was working in November 1942
Alberta Turrill	Carlsbad Caverns	?-Sep 10	Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)?
Barbara Dickinson	Mount Rainier	Jul 6-Oct 10
Catherine Byrnes	Mount Rainier	Jun 26-Sep 3

1943

Table 4: 1943 Uniformed Women

Name	Park	Dates	Official Title	Comments
Nellie B. Wenande	Devils Tower	Aug 1-Sep 15	Park Ranger	One season only
“Billie” Untermann	Dinosaur		Naturalist?	First woman naturalist at the park
Ethel L. Meinzer	Scotts Bluff	Jan 1-May		Returned to her position at Rocky Mountain.
Drucilla Maltby Isaacson	Pinnacles		Park Ranger	First woman ranger at the park.
Clara J. “Ann” Lausten	Pinnacles	Jan 1-Dec 31?	Clerk-Typist
Sallie Pierce Brewer	Casa Grande Ruins	Feb 16-Dec 31	Park Ranger	War Service Indefinite Appointment
Olive Johnson	Carlsbad Caverns	Nov 28-Dec 31	Guide	Paid $5/day. Appointment continued into 1944.
Judy Eden	Bandelier	May 1-?	Ranger	Wife of ranger Jim Eden. "Judy is making such a satisfactory ranger, Jim will have competition getting his job back after the war."
Marguerite "Rita" Walker	Carlsbad Caverns		Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)
Myra Appell	Carlsbad Caverns		Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)	Received a grade increase in April. On sick leave from Oct-Dec.
Roberta Whittington	Carlsbad Caverns		Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)?	Granted military leave in January 1944 to join the WAC.
Madge Bryan	Carlsbad Caverns		Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)?	Leave without pay status in November 1943.
Olive Johnson	Carlsbad Caverns	Nov	Per diem Guide	Worked weekends only
Viola Shannon	Carlsbad Caverns		Tour Leader	Shannon began working at park in 1941 as laborer, then elevator operator in 1942. Became seasonal tour leader in 1943.
Catherine M. Byrnes	Mount Rainier	ca. Jun-Aug	Park Ranger	Photos in 1943 uniform.
Barbara Dickinson	Mount Rainier	ca. May-Sep	Park Ranger	Photos in 1943 uniform. Worked summer 1942 as a telephone operator. Father worked at the park.
Eliza Danner	Yosemite	May 8-Jun 5	Charwoman	Unlikely to have worn ranger uniform.
Vera Craig	Morristown		Museum Aid	Veteran service from 1941-1943
Julie D. Arthur	Glacier	Jul 3-Sep 10	Park Ranger	Appointment was limited to 6 months but she only worked two. Resigned to return to teaching.

1944

Table 5: 1944 Uniformed Women

Name	Park	Dates	Official Title	Comments
Alice L. Hauber	Devils Tower	Jun 2-Sep 22	Park Ranger	Filled Wenande’s position from previous year
Nancy R. Bowers	Yellowstone	Jun 24-Sep 16	Park Ranger
“Billie” Untermann	Dinosaur		Naturalist?
Clara J. “Ann” Lausten	Pinnacles	Jan 1-Dec 31?	Clerk-Typist
Sallie Pierce Brewer	Casa Grande Ruins	Jan 1-Jun 21	Park Ranger	War Service Indefinite Appointment
Sallie Pierce Brewer	Tumacacori	Jun 22-Dec 31	Park Ranger	War Service Indefinite Appointment
Jessica Shearwood	Casa Grande Ruins	July 1944-Dec 31	Park Ranger	Replaced Sallie Brewer when she moved to Tumacacori National Monument
Jean McWhirt Pinkley	Mesa Verde	May 25-Oct 31	Museum Assistant	War Service Indefinite Appointment
Ruth M. Aubuchon	Mesa Verde	Nov 8-Dec 31	Museum Aide (intermittent, part time)	“Qualified by background of interest and experience in connection with Indian crafts, etc. Served three seasons as manager of curio shop of hotel concession…has worked several years in the Navajo Indian country…”
Marguerite "Rita" Walker	Carlsbad Caverns		Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)
Myra Appell	Carlsbad Caverns	Jan	Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)	Resigned in January 1944 after being off sick since the previous October
Roberta Whittington	Carlsbad Caverns	Jan 1-Jan 14	Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)	Furloughed for military service on January 13
Olive Johnson	Carlsbad Caverns	Jan 1-Aug 31	Guide	Paid $5/day. Appointment continued from 1943
Madge Bryan	Carlsbad Caverns	Exact dates unknown	Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)?
Olive Johnson	Carlsbad Caverns	Sep 1-Dec 31 (exact dates unknown)	Guide, WAE	Not to exceed $540/year. Appointment continued in 1945
Viola Shannon	Carlsbad Caverns
Hilda C. Voetberg	Carlsbad Caverns	Mar 18-Jun 30	Guide, WAE
Hilda C. Voetberg	Carlsbad Caverns	July 1-Nov 16	Guide	Reassigned from Guide WAE to full-time guide. Furloughed for military duty with WAC November 16
Patricia Branch	Carlsbad Caverns	Jul 3-Sep 30	Guide, WAE	90-day appointment. Daughter of PEFO superintendent. Joined WAVES after her appointment ended. Featured in 1945 “Inside Interior” magazine
Marguerite Staab	Carlsbad Caverns	Jan 7-Jan 17	Guide	Resigned January 17 suggests appointment was intended to be longer
Juanita Marlette	Carlsbad Caverns	Feb-?	Guide
Rena L. Briggs	Carlsbad Caverns	Feb-?	Guide
Pearl E. B. Boney	Carlsbad Caverns	Mar 18-Mar 26	Guide	Resigned on March 26
Juanita Strawn	Carlsbad Caverns	May 11-Sep 30	Per diem Guide	Not clear how many hours were actually worked given per diem status
Juanita Strawn	Carlsbad Caverns	Oct 1-?	Guide, WAE	Converted to guide WAE from per diem guide
Wilma Terry	Carlsbad Caverns	May 17-?	Per diem Guide
Catherine M. Byrnes	Mount Rainier	ca. Jun-Aug	Park Ranger
Barbara Dickinson	Mount Rainier	ca. May-Sep	Park Ranger
Vera Craig	Morristown		Museum Aid	Veteran service from 1941-1943

1945

Table 6: 1945 Uniformed Women

Name	Park	Dates	Official Title	Comments
Louise E. Chapman	Yellowstone	Jun 11-Sep 22	Park Ranger	Did not work in 1943, 1944. Oral history records that she wore a uniform with pants for this appointment.
Alice L. Hauber	Devils Tower	Jun 4-Aug 25	Park Ranger	Position filled by a man in 1946.
“Billie Untermann”	Dinosaur		Naturalist?
Mildred J. Ericson	National Capital Parks	Nov 1-Dec 31	Interpretive Specialist, WAE	Appointment continued into 1946. $1.00/hour!
Clara J. “Ann” Lausten	Pinnacles	?-Jun	Clerk-Typist	Clerk-typist and custodian positions were combined, eliminating her job.
Marguerite “Rita” Walker	Carlsbad Caverns
Viola Shannon	Carlsbad Caverns
Rena Lane Briggs	Carlsbad Caverns	Jan-Feb 18	Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)?	Resigned February 18; paid out of her annual leave meant she was paid until March 8, 1945.
Frances Hodnett	Carlsbad Caverns	Apr 6-Dec 16	Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)?	Hired to replace Rena L. Briggs. Hodnett was described as “Difficult to replace” by Olive Johnson.
Edna Pendelton	Carlsbad Caverns	Jun 1-?
Juanita Marlette	Carlsbad Caverns	?-Aug 15		Resigned August 15, 1945, to train to become a flight attendant for American Airlines.
Wilma J. Terry	Carlsbad Caverns	?-Aug 15		Resigned to become a flight attendant for American Airlines.
Olive Johnson	Carlsbad Caverns	Exact dates unknown	Guide, WAE	Not to exceed $540/year. Appointment continued in 1946.
Ruth Ailene Matkins	Carlsbad Caverns	Mar 1-Apr 30	Guide	Started at the park in 1942 as a clerk-stenographer. Became a ticket clerk but transferred to guide position. Resigned April 30 prior to wedding in May.
Dann, Beverly B.	Carlsbad Caverns	May 19-Sep	Guide, WAE	Transferred to the War Department in September 1945.
Vena L. Snow	Carlsbad Caverns	May 19-?	Guide	Hired to replace Ruth A. Matins.
Rachel L. Susen	Carlsbad Caverns	Jun 8-Jun 22	Guide, WAE	Resigned June 22.
Lillian Hopping Hayne	Carlsbad Caverns	Aug 18-?	Guide, WAE
Betty Loomis	Carlsbad Caverns	Sep 23-?	Guide	Sundays only.
Sallie Pierce Brewer	Tumacacori	Jan 1-Dec 31	Park Ranger	War Service Indefinite Appointment
Jessica Shearwood	Casa Grande Ruins	Jan 1-May 31	Park Ranger
Polly Tovrea	Casa Grande Ruins	Jun?-Dec 29	Park Ranger	Replaced Jessica Shearwood. Resigned when her husband returned from the war.
Jean McWhirt Pinkley	Mesa Verde	May 16-Nov 1	Museum Assistant	Return to duty
Barbara Dickinson	Mount Rainier	Summer (ended September 1945)	Park Ranger	Only worked 2 seasons as a ranger (1943 and 1945)
Ruth M. Aubuchon	Mesa Verde	Jan 1-Dec 31	Museum Aide (intermittent, part time)
Catherine M. Byrnes	Mount Rainier	ca. Jun-Aug	Park Ranger
Barbara Dickinson	Mount Rainier	ca. May-Sep	Park Ranger
Vera Craig	Morristown		Museum Aide	Veteran service from 1941-1943
Evelyn S. Luce	Custer Battlefield	Oct 8-?	Historical Aide	Continued into Jan 1946. Not sure how long after that.

1946

Table 7: 1946 Uniformed Women

Name	Park	Dates	Official Title	Comments
“Billie” Untermann	Dinosaur		Naturalist?
Mildred J. Ericson	National Capital Parks	Jan 1-May 22	Interpretive Specialist, WAE	Appointment began in 1945. Increase to $1.44/hour. Resigned for other employment.
Mildred J. Ericson	Yellowstone	Jul 1-Sep 25	Park Ranger (Naturalist)
Mary L. Oswald	Yellowstone	Jul 1-Sep 2	Park Ranger (Naturalist)
Irene E. Simons	Carlsbad Caverns	Mar 16-Oct 27	Guide (Nurse)	Included in March 1946 guide photo. Resigned October 27
Viola Shannon	Carlsbad Caverns	Exact dates unknown	Guide	Included in March 1946 guide photo
Betty Loomis	Carlsbad Caverns	Exact dates unknown	Guide, WAE	Included in March 1946 guide photo
Edna M. Pendleton	Carlsbad Caverns	Exact dates unknown	Guide, WAE	Included in March 1946 guide photo
Olive Johnson	Carlsbad Caverns	Exact dates unknown	Guide, WAE	Not to exceed $540/year. Appointment continued in 1947. Included in March 1946 guide photo
Juanita E. Strawn	Carlsbad Caverns	Mar-Aug 10	Guide, WAE	Included in March 1946 guide photo. Resigned August 10 to teach school
Lillian Hopping Hayne	Carlsbad Caverns	Mar?-May 12	Guide	Included in March 1946 guide photo. Resigned May 12
Roberta E. Whittington	Carlsbad Caverns	May 31-Dec?	Guide	Returned from military furlough May 31, 1946
Norma L. Huesselmann	Carlsbad Caverns	Exact dates unknown	Guide (Nurse)?	Also worked in 1947
Jean McWhirt Pinkley [P]	Mesa Verde	Apr 16-Dec 31	Museum Assistant	Reinstatement on 4/12/1946. Appointment continues in 1947
Sallie Pierce Brewer	Tumacacori	Jan 1-Dec 31	Park Ranger	War Service Indefinite Appointment
Ruth M. Aubuchon	Mesa Verde	Jan 1-Nov 30	Museum Aide (intermittent, part time)	Resigned
Laura Miller Joyner	Devils Tower		Assistant Custodian	Permanent position. Her husband was custodian.
Wealthy Purrington	Zion	Jun?-Sep 5	Temporary Ranger-Naturalist	First woman ranger at Zion?

1947

Table 8: 1947 Uniformed Women

Name	Park	Dates	Official Title	Comments
“Billie” Untermann	Dinosaur		Naturalist?
Mildred J. Ericson	Yellowstone	Jun 2-Sep 21	Park Ranger (Naturalist)
Roberta E. Whittington	Carlsbad Caverns	Exact Dates Unknown	Guide
Norma L. Huesselmann	Carlsbad Caverns	?-Dec 2	Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)?	Resigned December 2, 1947.
Olive Johnson	Carlsbad Caverns	Exact dates unknown	Guide, WAE	Not to exceed $540/year. Appointment continued in 1948
Viola Shannon	Carlsbad Caverns	Jan-Nov 29	Tour Leader?	Furloughed from November 29, 1947 until May 2, 1948
Sallie Pierce Brewer	Tumacacori	Jan 1-Dec 31	Park Ranger	War Service Indefinite Appointment
Jean McWhirt Pinkley [P]	Mesa Verde	Jan 1-Dec 31	Museum Assistant	Appointment continues in 1948
Vera Craig	Morristown		Museum Aid	Veteran service from 1941-1943

1948

Table 9: 1948 Uniformed Women

Name	Park	Dates	Official Title	Comments
“Billie” Untermann	Dinosaur		Naturalist?
Mildred J. Ericson	Yellowstone	May 24-Sep 23	Park Ranger (Naturalist)
Roberta E. Whittington	Carlsbad Caverns	Jan-Jun 26	Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)	Resigned her position June 26, 1948
Olive Johnson	Carlsbad Caverns	?-May 20	Guide, WAE	Not to exceed $540/year. Appointment continued in 1949. Placed on inactive duty for the summer on May 20 and returned to active status on October 11
Viola Shannon	Carlsbad Caverns	May 2-Dec?	Tour Leader?	Furloughed from November 29, 1947 until May 2, 1948
H. Dorene Gale	Carlsbad Caverns	May 10-?	Guide (Nurse)
Sallie Pierce Brewer	Tumacacori	Jan 1-Dec 31	Park Ranger	War Service Indefinite Appointment
Jean McWhirt Pinkley [P]	Mesa Verde	Jan 1-Jul 24	Museum Assistant
Jean McWhirt Pinkley [P]	Mesa Verde	Jul 25-Dec 31	Archeologist	Promotion. Appointment continues in 1949
Vera Craig	Morristown		Museum Aid	Veteran service from 1941-1943

1949

Table 10: 1949 Uniformed Women

Name	Park	Dates	Official Title	Comments
Mildred J. Ericson	Yellowstone	Jun 6-Sep 8	Park Ranger (Naturalist)
Marguerite “Rita” Walker	Carlsbad Caverns	?-Oct 31	Seasonal Park Ranger (Nurse)	Resigned her seasonal ranger position October 31, 1949
H. Dorene Gale	Carlsbad Caverns	?-Oct 29	Guide (Nurse)	Resigned October 29 following her marriage
Olive Johnson	Carlsbad Caverns	Jan 1-Apr 16 (exact dates unknown)	Guide, WAE	Not to exceed $540/year
Olive Johnson [P]	Carlsbad Caverns	Apr-Dec 31	Guide, WAE	Got permanent status in April 1949 by passing Civil Service exam. Position was still WAE and her summer duty period ended May 26
Viola Shannon	Carlsbad Caverns	Jan-Apr	Tour Leader?
Viola Shannon [P]	Carlsbad Caverns	Apr-Dec 31	Guide?	Got permanent status in April 1949 by passing Civil Service exam
Vivian L. Roades	Carlsbad Caverns	Jun-Sep 2	Guide (Nurse)
Margaret Bean	Carlsbad Caverns	Dec 14-Dec 31	Guide (Nurse)	Temporary indefinite appointment
Sallie Pierce Brewer	Tumacacori	Jan 1-Dec 31	Park Ranger	War Service Indefinite Appointment
Jean McWhirt Pinkley [P]	Mesa Verde	Jan 1-Dec 31	Archeologist	Appointment continues in 1950
Anne Livesay	Grand Canyon		Park Ranger (Naturalist)	Only woman naturalist employed since Polly Mead
Vera Craig	Morristown		Museum Aid	Veteran service from 1941-1943

Explore More!

To learn more about women and the NPS Uniform, visit Dressing the Part: A Portfolio of Women’s History in the NPS.


This research was made possible in part by a grant from the National Park Foundation.