Having grown up in the country and hearing the trains go by
in the distance, was all I knew about trains.
Later, when I met my future husband in Mart,
After we were married, and he was gone a month at a time, this was a big adjustment for me. After our children were born, I was both Mother and Father.
My husband, Tony, was a fireman in those days, and I belonged to the Ladies Firemen's Auxiliary. Tony was elected Local Chairman and Secretary-Treasurer of his Division following Jeff Beavers election to General Chairman. In 1969, his wife Wanda Beavers presented me as a candidate for membership in the GIA, and I was initiated into the Palestine Rose Division #584. While a member I served as Guide, Chaplain, Vice President, President, Past President, and Star Marshal, and currently serve again as President.
On the International level, I served as Grand Organizer Inspector, Grand Organizer under International President Lillie Mae Parker. While attending an International Convention, Tony encouraged me to run for an International Office and I was elected 1st Vice President, moving to Vice President due to a resignation. In 2001, I was elected International President and served a five year term.
There are many people who helped me immensely throughout these years, Ruth Windham and Mary Anna Mullins. These ladies were always there when I needed them and I thank them so much for their guidance and encouragement. I pray that I performed my duties as International President in a way they would be proud of.
I have always been a country girl and still have my
I feel that being a member of the GIA, now BLET Auxiliary has been a very interesting and important experience for me. It made me think of how I could help my husband and other railroad employees during Tony's working years. Before I became a GIA member, I helped with coffee and food for the men when needed, and becoming a GIA member helped me be more sensitive to the working conditions of railroad engineers.