From the Indy Star Obits - July 22, 2005: Pangburn, Phyllis June Vohland Phyllis June Vohland Pangburn 79, Indianapolis, passed away July 21, 2005. She was born July 30, 1925 in Clarksburg, IN. After graduating from Clarksburg High School in 1944, Phyllis enrolled in war workers training by New York Central Railroad, where she studied telegraphy and accounting. In 1948, she became the first woman dispatcher in the nation, credited by the New York Central System. She retired from the Railroad in July 1983 after 38 years of service as an operator in Indiana, on the Michigan and Chicago Divisions, and as a dispatcher in Indianapolis. Phyllis was a member of the Order of Railroad Telegraphers, Railroad Business Women's Association, The American Train Dispatchers' Association, New York Central System Historical Society, and the Order of the Eastern Star #47 in Greensburg, IN. Phyllis married Clarence Dewey Pangburn in 1951, and he preceded her in death in 1967.
Roger, did she have some sort of colorful "handle" as an operator or am I confusing her with another lady, probably a dispatcher?
Fitz, No she did not have a handle.When you talked to her by phone or radio it was Phyllis what is the problem or whatever Read my story about Phyllis on RR of Madison County. LEW
LEW, I'm sorry if I sounded disrespectful, I didn't mean to. You have a very nice writeup on her there on Roger's site.
She certainly had quite a career. Groundbreaker as a woman dispatcher. From steam days, through to modern diesels. From the NYC, through Penn Central, and then Conrail. Boxcab E50
