Ms. Cooke handled the switchboard at the local phone company the night of Jan. 28th, 1922 during the fierce snowstorm which resulted in the roof falling in on a packed Knickerbocker theater. She lined up doctors, emergency crews, and fended off the media. 98 folks died and another 135+ were injured. She worked closely with the D.C. government, mostly thru her fellow operator at the District Building, Ms. Viola Wheeler.
Viola Wheeler
As a result of her (Ruth) actions that night, she was the first woman to receive the silver Vail award from the parent AT&T telephone company. She had retired with over 40 years of service. She left 2 cousins as next of kin.
Viola Wheeler
As a result of her (Ruth) actions that night, she was the first woman to receive the silver Vail award from the parent AT&T telephone company. She had retired with over 40 years of service. She left 2 cousins as next of kin.
Ms. Cooke handled the switchboard at the local phone company the night of Jan. 28th, 1922 during the fierce snowstorm which resulted in the roof falling in on a packed Knickerbocker theater. She lined up doctors, emergency crews, and fended off the media. 98 folks died and another 135+ were injured. She worked closely with the D.C. government, mostly thru her fellow operator at the District Building, Ms. Viola Wheeler.
Viola Wheeler
As a result of her (Ruth) actions that night, she was the first woman to receive the silver Vail award from the parent AT&T telephone company. She had retired with over 40 years of service. She left 2 cousins as next of kin.
Viola Wheeler
As a result of her (Ruth) actions that night, she was the first woman to receive the silver Vail award from the parent AT&T telephone company. She had retired with over 40 years of service. She left 2 cousins as next of kin.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
