Cover Page

Preface

Introduction

Breeches, Blouses, and Skirts

Photofile

Bibliography

Notes

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

National Park Service Uniforms Breeches, Blouses, and Skirts 1918-1991	Number 4
Breeches, Blouses, and Skirts (continued)

In 1977 the Service decided to officially change the women's uniform to conform more closely to the men's. As a result women uniformed personnel were cautioned about ordering new uniform parts due to the impending change. This also effected their only authorized outerwear, the Lady Danton raincoat made by London Fog. Due to the impending lack of future orders, it went out of production. This forced women in need of coats to try to either secure something similar, which resulted in various shades of tans, or to wear their personal coats creating an even wider range of hues.

With this change, employees who were required to have both Class A (traditional dress) and Class B (work) uniforms, began receiving $400.00/$200.00 uniform allowances. [23]

Marjoie M. "Mike" Hackett, superintendent, Fort Point National Historic Site, 1976. Hackett is wearing what some people consider the most attractive uniform designed for women in the Park Service, the "Woman's Traditional Uniform" authorized in 1974. She also has on the short jacket, sans pockets which appears to have been the standard coat for women. This jacket is often called the "Ike Jacket", attributed to General, later President Eisenhower, but that jacket has large breast pockets and didn't come into being until later. She is also wearing the black turtleneck in lieu of a tie. NPSHPC/HFC#76-80-3

The young ranger shown here at Padre Island National Seashore in 1978, is assuring this little endangered Ridley turtle hatchling a safe passage, at least on the first leg of it's long journey. Along with her shorts and cap, she is wearing all the insignia identifying her Park Service affiliation. NPSHPC - Fred E. Mang, Jr. photo - HFC#78-465-6-15

Although written in October of 1977, it wasn't until the Spring of 1978 that the long awaited uniform regulation change came through, authorizing the women to wear the same gray and green, in all of its configurations, as their male counterparts. The only differences were that the women were to wear a cross tie style tie instead of the four-in-hand, and they had the option of wearing a skirt, but most preferred the trousers. Along with this, for the first time, they were authorized to wear the complete assortment of special duty clothing. Field, maintenance, Alpine ski, etc., in essence everything available to the men.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area, California. Park Ranger Margaret Brooks with group of children, 1981. Brooks is wearing the women's cross tie. NPSHPC - Richard Frear photo - HFC#8123570231

The changeover was anticipated to be completed by early summer. But alas, it was not to be. Supply problems plagued their efforts from the beginning, resulting in it being late fall before all of the women could be outfitted with the basics. Even then there was no dress blouse or winter parka and the raincoat wasn't available until the following Spring.

In addition, the $125.00 annual uniform allowance was established on a prorated basis to cover the ranger's uniform requirements over a period of years. But with this being the fourth total uniform change for the women rangers in fourteen years, the catch up factor had not been realized. With the allowance being insufficient to cover the cost of the new uniform, along with their low pay, a serious financial hardship was imposed on most of the women. [24]

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Last Modified: Wed, Dec 20 2000 11:30:00 pm PDT
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