Boston's Fairest: A Centennial Salute to the First Women Officers in the Boston Police Department

A lecture Marking the 100th Anniversary of the Appointment of Women to the Boston Police Department

At the dawn of the Roaring Twenties, as women gained the vote and Prohibition was enacted, Massachusetts authorized the hiring of women police officers. The Boston Police Department appointed six pioneering women officers on April 21, 1921. Another dozen joining the ranks during World War II. Armed only with their wits and a badge, they took on armed criminals, jewel thieves, bootleggers, gangsters, fugitives, "mashers", the Black Hand, and a Nazi spy. These women were also well-educated professionals, community leaders, and mothers. On the 100th anniversary of the appointment of the first women officers to the Boston Police Department, we salute their service.

Dr. Kim L. Gaddy served 37 years with the Boston Police Department, retiring as a Sergeant Detective.

Margaret R. Sullivan is Records Manager & Archivist for the Boston Police Department.

Please note: This talk will be presented via Zoom, and participants must register by noon on the day of the event to receive the link by email that afternoon. If you have not received the link by 3pm, please contact us by 5:00 so that we can resend it.

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