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, Texas, I did not know about railroad people.
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 Home Place that Tony his babies (cattle) on. We still enjoy going to the ranch often. We have two daughters, three granddaughters, to great grandsons, and one great, great granddaughter. Our youngest granddaughter just entered college.
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.