Women on Patrol for 50 Years

On March 5, 2025, a celebration will take place to honor the women of the 126th and 127th academy classes—trailblazers who defied the odds, challenged negative narratives, and overcame active resistance to patrol the streets of San Francisco.

A Historic Year in Policing

The year 1975 is often remembered as the year of the police strike, a pivotal moment that dominated the pages of the union’s publication at the time. But that year also marked another defining moment in the history of the department and the union—the first women entering the police academy to officially patrol the streets of San Francisco. But the seeds of change were happening just a little bit earlier in 1972.

In January 1972, seven women—Virginia Cullen, Rita Grove, Louise Reed, Margaret Hartmann, Carol Marshall, and Margaret Dillon—were appointed to the rank of Assistant Inspector. Their presence in the department was met with both subtle and overt resistance. The idea of women in policing was still controversial, a sentiment reflected in letters to the editor and general department attitudes.
That same year, the 122nd Recruit Class saw two women, Sandi Daly and Bertie Hovde, enter the academy with hopes of patrolling the streets. In what seems like a tongue-in-cheek moment, the union’s publication titled its article about them “Our Girls in Blue” (December 1972). The piece noted that while the class had 44 members, “42 of them weren’t too happy” about having women in their ranks.

The author wrote:

“Historically, within SFPD, ‘our girls in blue’ have been somewhat sheltered, whether they liked it or not.”

Daly had joined the department in 1963 as a fingerprint technician before moving to the Juvenile Bureau. Hovde was a San Francisco State graduate. Both had taken the police test in 1969, and they were the only two selected from “a field of over 200 young ladies.” A quote from the article:

“ Once they graduate from the academy in January, they hope to get an assignment in a district station. Both want to work in radio cars playing cops and robbers.”

The cringe-worthy narrative continued:

“Sandi says she has had many offers for radio car partners, ‘especially on the midnight watch.’”

The piece concluded by assuring readers:

“By the way, both girls are SFPOA members in good standing.” /

The Union’s Initial Resistance

At the time, the union was far from leading the charge for women in patrol. The prevailing belief was that women were best suited as matrons, ticket writers, or administrative personnel—but not for the dangers of street policing. Those who entered the academy faced tremendous odds, particularly in physical training. Exercises like baton defense and handcuffing drills were designed with men in mind, creating more barriers for female recruits.

Even for those who successfully completed the academy and their field training, obstacles remained. They were not welcomed, their success was questioned, and the old guard did everything possible to keep them from gaining equal footing.

The 126th and 127th Academy Classes: A Court-Mandated Fight for Inclusion
The real push for women on patrol began with the 126th Academy Class in July 1975, followed by the 127th Class in November 1975. These were the first academy classes trying to fulfill the court’s mandate requiring the hiring of 60 women within 32 weeks. However, the department and city officials resisted, arguing to limit the number to just 20.

A look back at the San Francisco Policeman publication from that time reveals just how little recognition women in the profession received. While there was room to acknowledge the San Francisco Police Officers Wives Auxiliary celebrating its 10th anniversary, there was only a brief mention of the legal case that led to this hiring push:

Women in Patrol:

“Women have been used in police patrol work in substantial numbers nationwide, most notably in Washington, D.C., and New York City, as well as locally in the California Highway Patrol and other police and sheriff’s offices. The Defendants have proposed an experimental program placing women on patrol in San Francisco. Their performance would be studied over the period during which this list is in effect, to prove the validity or invalidity of the physical agility tests at issue…”

Breaking Down Barriers

Historically, women had been entirely excluded from patrol officer positions in the San Francisco Police Department. Instead, they were assigned as Q-20 Policewomen—non-sworn roles limited to clerical duties, work as jail matrons, or assignments within the vice squad. These positions offered no eligibility for promotion to the rank of Sergeant or higher. It was only after legal action that the department opened the Q-2 Policeman classification to women, renaming it Q-2 Police Officer, equalizing salaries, and allowing women the opportunity for advancement.

Still, barriers remained. A 5'6" minimum height requirement and a rigorous physical agility test disproportionately disqualified female applicants. A court ruling struck down the height requirement, but the physical agility test continued to pose challenges. Plaintiffs in the case argued that the test had an “almost total adverse impact” on female applicants and sought an injunction against its use.

A Reluctant Recognition

It was not until February 1976 that an article in the San Francisco Policeman finally acknowledged women on patrol. Written by the secretary of the association, the piece recounted an encounter at Northern Station with one of the female recruits in her field training phase:

“I found it hard to believe that this charming 4'10", 90 lbs. of loveliness was rounding into one hell of a cop. However, according to her Training Officer (and my personal observations), she was doing a darn good job.”

Reading this today, I do not know whether to laugh, curse, or do both.

The idea of women in policing was still controversial, reflected not just in letters to the editor but also in pop culture. Who could forget the scene from The Enforcer, where Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry berates Tyne Daly’s character, Kate Moore, for daring to pursue a promotion to Inspector?

Full Circle

Fifty years later, what a full-circle moment it is to be the leader of the very union that once resisted the idea of women on patrol. A union that expected women to pay dues for representation, even while not fully embracing their presence in the ranks.

Today, we honor the women who pushed through the barriers, who refused to be sidelined, and who paved the way for the generations that followed. Their courage, resilience, and dedication to service changed this department forever.

To the trailblazers who proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that women not only belong on patrol—but that they excel at it.

Class 126th The Trailblazers:
Susan Asaro
Mary Christensen
Sharon Cordes
Maureen D’Amico
Linda Dean
Mary Elizabeth Droher
Corella Franklin
Lynda Fujimoto
Arlene George
Judith Harriman
Terrys Ivy
Barbara Jackson
Gladys Jackson
Jacklyn Jehl
Dorothy Jorgensen
Diane Mackin
Jeanne McVeigh
Pamela Meeds
Paula Norris
Jo-Ann Oldham-King
Melinda Pengel
Vicki Quinn
Johnetta Ridout
Rebecca Rule
Glenda Samson
Susan Schumacher
Catherine Shula
Susanne Sorge
Joyce Watkins

Class 127th Trailblazers:
Cora Oryall
Linda Fontenot
Susan Reesink
Patricia Williams
Linda Norris
Dolly Casazza
Judie Pursell
Lynn Atkinson
Kathy Nelson
Barbara Brewster
Willa Brown
Lawanna Williams
Rose Melendez
Pam Wormes
Lili Hitt
Cheryl Barnett
Janet LaCampagne
Mary Heffernan
Louette Colombano
Kathy Anderson