In October 1971, the first female applicant was
accepted as a Cadet in the Pennsylvania State Police.
On July 7, 1972, a history making cadet class of 14 women
graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy and joined the Trooper ranks.
Female Troopers were required to wear skirts and service
hats called "beanies and newspapers referred to them as "Trooperettes".
Eventually the
department issued them trousers a campaign hat and a regular tie. This change in uniform was a morale
booster and allowed them to integrate uniformly into the ranks of the department.
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