Friday, May 29, 2009

My aunt, Lora Hawkins, at Southern Pacific Railroad

From: "Deborah Cariker" mrs_hosetoter@yahoo.com

My godmother and great-great aunt, Lora Hawkins, was, according to family lore, the first woman to ever work for Southern Pacific Railroad. Jilted by her fiance, she never married and chose a career. She was reportedly an assistant ticket clerk and stenographer at the Lake Charles, Louisiana, depot, and I have the name plate that was on her desk.

Can you please help me uncover any information about her employment at SP? Was she really such a ground breaker? I knew her when she was much older, in her 80s and 90s, and she was still feisty! ...

—Mrs. Deborah Cariker, Montgomery, Texas


Aunt Lora Hawkins at SPRR office
Aunt Lora Hawkins at SPRR office

Older Aunt Lora Hawkins at office
Older Aunt Lora Hawkins at office