by Sharon M.
I started working at Lockheed in August 1959. I was hired in as a
general clerk typist. I typed 200 wpm on a manual typewriter—before electric
typewriters were common. I typed test procedures for the Polaris missile, which
got to be so familiar, I could almost write them myself. I worked with Vicki
Thornell, Bill Davis and Bill Cannon. I requested a transfer to salary
administration with Sam Groover. I became an administer’s clerk for Joe Cusick
and met Clare Voyce, who later introduced me to my husband-to-be, Jerry.
I then went to work for Joe Szep. He saw something in me and gave me a
chance to become a drafter. He later assigned me to work on the C-5A drawings,
which Lockheed Missiles and Space Company did for Lockheed-Georgia. He also
sent me to a class to become a value engineer—the first lady in Lockheed
Missiles and Space Company to complete the course. From there I went to work on the Agena. Finally, I worked in ocean
systems until I “retired” (very pregnant) in 1967 to raise a family.
I am forever grateful for the opportunity to improve myself which
Lockheed offered, and for the great people who helped me along the way.
