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The women of the Forest Service research
organizations in the Central and Southern Rocky
Mountain Regions have been outstanding. These
include the wives of the scientists and the women
employees.
The role of the wives of the scientists in a
developing activity such as forestry research,
was challenging and often trying. Transfers were
frequent, and suitable housing usually was hard
to find. In most instances field quarters were
primitive and rugged. The men's duty hours had
to match research requirements, which made
family planning difficult. Moreover, travel schedules and requirements often left the wives a t
home with the sole responsibility for the families.
Sometimes the wives helped their husbands in
the field. Take Elinore Martinelli, for example.
She was out on the alpine snowfields with Pete
taking notes for him. When Lynn came Elinore
was grounded, but not for long. Soon she took
Lynn piggyback and again was off to the snowfields with Pete!
Thanks to the wives, the families kept close
together and met the challenges. An activity that
helped the wives a t Station headquarters share
their challenges and responsibilities was a monthly
social which became known as "The Forestry
Triangle.'' This group included the wives and
women employees of the Forestry School (Education), of the Roosevelt National Forest and
other local resource Administrative Agencies
(Administration),and the Station (Research).
Dorothy McArdle, Myrtle Connaughton, and
Rose McGinnies took the lead a t the former Rocky
Mountain Station. Beth Price took the lead a t the
Southwestern and the new Rocky Mountain Stations. These women played an important role in
maintaining friendly associations within the
Stations and among the forestry organizations.
The women employees since the beginning of
the Stations have been efficient and dedicated,
and have relieved the scientists of many chores.
I t is not possible to name them all here, but the
history would not be complete without naming a
few. At the Southwestern Station, Marjory P.
Rickle deserves recognition for her efficient
service. As Director's secretary, Mrs. Rickle kept
an even keel a t that Station. At the former Rocky
Mountain Station, Eunice Skamser and Maria
Garwood must be recognized. Miss Skamser,
chief clerk in 1935, helped in several capacities.
Mrs. Garwood, who also came in 1935, served as
secretary to four Directors, including the Director
of the new Rocky Mountain Station, until her
retirement in 1968. She was a most efficient and
dedicated employee, adding much to the Station's
accomplishments.
In 1967, as part of the expansion program, a
working reference library was added to the Station, with Frances J. Barney as librarian. Mrs.
Barney holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in botany,
and came to the Forest Service from the library
a t Colorado State University. She served as a
research assistant in plant pathology a t Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station and as a
librarian at Duke University. Her intimate knowledge of the natural resources and library science,
as well as her devotion to her responsibilities
make her a valuable asset to the Station's scientific efforts.
Two women who advanced from clerical to
professional positions must be recognized-Geraldine Peterson and Mona F. Nickerson. Mrs. Peterson, who earned her B.S. in mathematics at the
University of Arizona, and authored several publications, was a statistical clerk a t the Southwestern Station. She transferred to the new Rocky
Mountain Station when the Stations were combined, where she helped materially in computation
of research data. She retired in 1965. Mrs. Nickerson earned her B.S. degree in economics and B.A.
in technical journalism a t Colorado State University. She served in stenographic and clerical
duties with the former Rocky Mountain Station.
Later, she became a technical publications editor,
and is in the Publications Branch of the new
Rocky Mountain Station. Mrs. Nickerson completed the editorial services for this history. Her
interest and knowledge of the Station has been
most helpful in searching for illustrations and
records.