Woman who made history as first female engineer of US train company in 1985 retires after 40 years of service.
Jackie Pettyjohn, the first female engineer at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), has officially retired after 40 years of service, marking the end of an extraordinary career.
Jackie made history in 1985 when she became the first woman to operate a train for SEPTA, a regional public transportation authority that provides bus, rapid transit, commuter rail, light rail, and trolleybus services across five counties in and around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States.
On January 10, Jackie completed her final trip, operating a train from Philadelphia International Airport to Suburban Station.
As she stepped off the train for the last time, she was met with cheers, applause, and warm embraces from friends, coworkers, and loved ones who gathered to celebrate her trailblazing career.
Overwhelmed by the heartfelt farewell, she later told NBC10 that she was deeply moved by the outpouring of love and support.
“I was shocked. I did not expect that. When I went home, it just hit me. I cried Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday, all day. I just couldn’t believe the outpouring of love they had for me and I have the same for them,” she said,
Jackie’s journey at SEPTA began in August 1984, when she came across a job advertisement in the Philadelphia Inquirer. She applied and was hired just a few weeks later.
According to a Facebook post from SEPTA, she initially had no intention of staying but soon fell in love with the job. Despite the demanding hours, she found a way to balance work and family life.
Throughout her career, Jackie proved to be an exemplary employee. According to Yahoo News, she maintained a flawless attendance record and never had any operating rule violations. She also ranked first on the seniority roster.
In a statement to CBS News Philadelphia, SEPTA acknowledged Jackie’s legacy, saying, “Jackie Pettyjohn was a trailblazer for female train engineers. SEPTA is grateful for her 40 years of service, and we wish her all the best in her retirement.”
However, breaking barriers did not come without challenges. In an earlier interview, Jackie admitted that being the first female engineer in 1985 came with its challenges and immense pressure.
“I felt like all eyes were on me, and it took a while for me to become comfortable. Some of the old-timers were reluctant to work with me. They couldn’t believe they were seeing a female engineer,” she recalled.
Despite these obstacles, Jackie persevered and thrived, inspiring a new generation of women to pursue careers in the male-dominated field. Today, 35 of SEPTA’s 202 train engineers are female, a milestone made possible by her pioneering efforts.
As she steps into retirement, Jackie looks forward to traveling and spending more time with her family.
