I
was hired by the chief operator, Hattie Goody, in about 1930 to work
part-time as an operator; I was just sixteen years of age. The
telephone company was already planning to convert Iowa City to dial
service, so I knew that my job would be only a temporary one. I
worked part-time while I was going to high school, and then full-time
in the summers, until July 31st of 192 - the date of the change to dial
service in Iowa City. If I had been willing to transfer out of
town, I could have continued working as an operator, but I did not want
to leave home.
Compared
with later time, working conditions were strict, and I would say that
discipline was maintained well. Hattie Goody ran a good taut ship
on the third floor of the old telephone building at 227 East Washington
Street.
Hattie
and Margie Goody were friends of my sister, Dorothy, and our families
were near-neighbors. There was much visiting back and forth and
although I was younger than Hattie, I recall that she was always very
nice to me. For example, if she saw me downtown, she would ask if
I would like some ice cream - a sundae or something. Kid sisters
always appreciate such kindness from their older sister's friends.
So when I came to the telephone company, I was not a stranger to
Hattie and she hired me on the spot.
There
was no talking at the board, no looking around; of course there was no
air-conditioning, just some small fans which did not do a lot to
relieve the heat and humidity of an Iowa summer. I remember
Catherine Hogan as a strict supervisor; I really did not like being an
operator, but I kept working at it because jobs in those days
were precious and hard to get. Since my job was just temporary, I
was trained only for the local board; I never learned the long distance
board. Being tied to a switchboard did seem very confining to me.
My
friends at school remained those with whom I chummed around; most of
the girls working for the telephone company were older, and I did not
go out with them. Besides, I was working hours like six to ten
p.m. most of the time.
Carl Cone hired me for the telephone
company business office in 1935; perhaps I should say re-hired me.
I had applied to work there, and had taken a typing test, and
possibly one other test.
During World War II the "no married
women" rule fell by the wayside; I married Franklin "Kewpie" Owen, but
kept working for the company. "Kewpie" also worked for the
company, and was in the facilities department for many years.
I
have liked my bosses at the company; Roy Williams was a very nice and
generous man; he was a warm person, witty and outgoing. He
belonged to a number of organizations and was excellent a public
relations. Ten Magnusson, who followed Roy Williams as manager,
was very supportive during the time of my husband's illness and death.
In 1977 I retired, putting an end to my working career with Northwestern Bell; I had just over forty-four years of service.