Poweshiek County

 
Thelma J. Wylie

 

 

 

 

Problem of Job After Assembly Bothers Aides

Burma's Secretary Says She Will Join WAVES After Session

Des Moines -- At least one lawmaker's secretary already knows what she is going to do when her job is completed at the end of the session -- she is going to join the WAVES.

Miss Thelma Wylie, 29, secretary to Speaker Henry W. Burma, disclosed today she had enlisted in the WAVES and had been notified she would be called about the time the session ends.

Miss Wylie expects to be sent to Stillwater, Okla., where WAVES are given special secretarial training to enable them to handle military correspondence.

Born in Brooklyn, Ia., Miss Wylie has been working for a Des Moines seed company the last several years. Her home is at Montezuma, Ia.

Miss Wylie is the first legislative employee to announce plans to enter a branch of the armed service since the session opened.

Meanwhile, approximately 100 other young women already are looking around for jobs when the lawmakers go home.

Source: Carroll Daily Times Herald, January 19, 1943

New Boss

Thelma Wylie of Montezuma is shown with her new boss, House Speaker Henry W. Burma, as she took over the job as Burma's secretary Thursday. Miss Wylie, however, has already enlisted in the WAVES and is awaiting her call to report for training.

Source: Des Moines Tribune, January 21, 1943 (photo included)

Des Moines in the Services

Thelma J. Wylie, WAVE, formerly of 1301 Locust st., has been selected for officer training and is now stationed at the naval midshipman's school at Northampton, Mass.

Source: Des Moines Tribune, February 10, 1944