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Meet the town’s first policewomen

They joined the force in the late 1950s through the early 1960s. Although they didn’t carry weapons or make arrests, they were indeed sworn officers. They were on-call to conduct pat-downs of female detainees. They also monitored and (if necessary) physically engaged female prisoners at Burlington’s police station. And they escorted female prisoners during transfers, before the county assumed that responsibility.

Burlington, MA police matrons, c. 1965. Photo credit: Maureen Putnam Paille.
Eleanor Doyle, Anne Field, Edith Johnson, Jane Glover, Madeline Burwell, Maureen Putnam Paille (owner of these photos)

 

But day-to-day, they functioned as traffic supervisors for the schools and town events.

Barbara Reichert, Meadowbrook School
Margaret Ryan, alternate at Memorial School
Anne Field, Wildwood School (Bedford Street crossing)
Teresa Battistello, Wildwood School (Francis Wyman Road crossing)
Madeline Burwell, supervisor
Eleanor Doyle, Fox Hill
Maureen Putnam, Pine Glen
Patricia Ornell, alternate at Center School (Memorial shown in pic)

 

Maureen Putnam montage:

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