Women in the U.S. Postal System

Women in Postal History

Introduction

Women in the postal service have fought for their positions and performed their duties since Mary Katherine Goddard petitioned President Washington in 1790 for reinstatement after having been removed from office because of her sex. Though women rarely received equal employment opportunities, they proved reliable, especially during times of war when they filled voids left by departing soldiers. America’s postal system has evolved from one in which women were rarely seen or heard to one in which women are a critical part of the service. The U.S. has yet to see a female postmaster general; the 21st century finds women in many executive positions across the service. Throughout the service women carry, sort and process mail; investigate mail crimes, serve as postmasters and window clerks in growing numbers.