Meet Leola N. King - America’s First Female Traffic Officer

Photo byLibrary of Congress circa 1918

It’s a big city policewoman directing traffic. Her name is Leola N. King, America’s first female traffic cop. This picture was taken in Washington, D.C., between 1918 and 1920.

Thirty female traffic officers were hired in Washington, D.C., that year. Leola was one of the first to hit the street. Her job kept things moving in the nation’s capital. At that time, horse-drawn carriages were still in use, and early cars were still sparse but catching on. Henry Ford’s Model T made its debut around 1908.

During that time, officers walked beats. Police boxes were along the streets, and a police officer was easily accessible to the public.

Photo byLibrary of Congress circa 1920

You can’t help but notice she is carrying a weapon. I suppose a pistol would not be out of place for this time and place. I am fascinated by her uniform. The details in her uniform, her lace-up heeled boots, jodhpurs, and leather bootstraps make an impression. I love the belt and the shoulder strap. She looks fit and trim in her uniform. I am sure she had plenty to keep her busy.

The photo shows her tremendous spirit and energy while carrying out her duties. Don’t you wonder what people thought when they saw her for the first time on the job? World War I ended in November 1918. I wonder if that had anything to do with her taking on a non-traditional work role. I imagine jobs came open since so many young soldiers were still in Europe.

Leola was reported to be America’s first female traffic officer.

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Douglas Pilarski is an award-winning writer & journalist based on the West Coast. He writes about luxury goods, exotic cars, horology, tech, food, lifestyle, equestrian and rodeo, magazine features, and millionaire travel. 

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