Travel Town StoryWalk: Railroad Engineer Olive Dennis

 Olive Dennis changed the way people travel. She was a civil engineer who became the first female engineer at Baltimore & Ohio Railroads. Travel Town StoryWalk: Railroad Engineer Olive Dennis | Los Angeles Public Library (lapl.org)

Read about her barrier-breaking achievements in the book titled Railroad Engineer Olive Dennis, and the ingenious ideas she had that we still enjoy today!

[Available viewing hours coincide with Travel Town hours.]

For ADA accommodations, call (213) 228-7430 at least 72 hours prior to the event.

Para ajustes razonables según la ley de ADA, llama al (213) 228-7430 al menos 72 horas antes del evento.

More about Olive Dennis who introduced improvements to train travel, including 

• reclining seats
• stain-resistant upholstery
• ceiling lights in passenger cars with dimming capabilities 
• window vents  to bring in fresh air in but kept dust outside
• expanded dressing rooms for women (with paper towels and liquid soap)
• air-conditioning aboard the trains

Women in Transportation History: Olive Dennis, US Railroad Civil Engineer – Transportation History

During World War II, she was a consultant for the federal Office of Defense Transportation. "She graduated from Western High School and enrolled at Goucher College from where she earned a bachelor's degree in 1908. She then went on to earn her master's degree in mathematics and astronomy from Columbia University." Olive Dennis Biography - Childhood, Life Achievements & Timeline (thefamouspeople.com)

More News from Los Angeles

• Arsonist Torches 100 Acres is Detained by Witnesses An arson suspect's arrest is depicted on a social media video, showing the pursuit and subsequent handcuffing by LA County Sheriff, it is suggested the suspect is a transient. 
• Feb. 6th: Arraignment of Mother in Murder of Flores & Yanez Children Angela Dawn Flores was charged with three counts of murder of her own children; 12-year-old Natalie, 10-year-old Kevin and 8-year-old Nathan.