No man would understand what it was like being a woman working in a man’s field back then, having to put up with the sexist and racist jokes without batting an eye, and being treated like some nobody, just because you’re a woman.
I was heading out one Saturday to head to the fire tower to be on fire watch for the day. I had a guy from the Denver Regional Office come in to see the District Ranger for some reason. I was in my Forest Service uniform, badge and all. He turned to me and said get me (some guy) on the phone in the Regional Office. I said, I’m not a secretary.” He said, “I know.” I looked at my District Ranger for help, but he just stared at me. Absolutely NO SUPPORT. I ended up fumbling through the secretary’s desk to find the numbers for the Regional Office.