Ladies in the Garage Area and pits at Indy

[PHJIndy]

We were discussing when was it that ladies were "allowed" in the Garage Area and the pits at Indy?

[indyrjc]

1971 was the year that women were "officially" granted access to the Garage Area and Pits. I think that the wife of Indianapolis Star editor Jep Cadou was one of the first ladies to be issued her credentials.

[impact]

The first female to have a working pit credential is Mitzi Graham - a very good friend of min. This was in 1974 and she worked on the USAC tech committee.

[beyondnascar]

1973?

[grogg]

Doris King, former wife of Grant King, was pretty good turning a wrench. I suspect she had one of the early pit/garage passes. I'm thinking around 1973 too.

[PHJIndy]

Thanks, we thought it was the early '70s. Women had to wear dresses when first admitted also. They've come a long way at the Brickyard.

[lanciaman]

Originally posted by PHJIndy:
<STRONG>Thanks, we thought it was the early '70s. Women had to wear dresses when first admitted also. They've come a long way at the Brickyard.</STRONG>

And in such short time!

It was nice to see Janet Guthrie acknowledged at the Speedway yesterday.

[lanciaman]

Originally posted by indyrjc:
<STRONG>1971 was the year that women were "officially" granted access to the Garage Area and Pits. I think that the wife of Indianapolis Star editor Jep Cadou was one of the first ladies to be issued her credentials.</STRONG>

It was either the late Bettie Cadou or AP's Hortense Myers who had the first working press credentials, IIRC. Early 70s. My wife was a Star reporter and had to lurk outside Gasoline Alley to get interviews...even though she had an FIA license.

[KevMcNJ]

Q. Why dont women need to own a wristwatch?

A. Because stoves come with a clock built in.

[Joe Baiza]

Do you mean "Ladies" or "Women" ... there's a big difference you know.

[PHJIndy]

Janet Guthrie had to use the restrooms outside the Garage Area, but they didn't install a rest area on the backstretch for her.