AMERICA | Jackie Pettyjohn, the first female train engineer at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), has officially retired after 40 years of service, marking the end of an extraordinary and trailblazing career.
In 1985, Jackie made history as the first woman to operate a SEPTA train, paving the way for future generations of female engineers in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
SEPTA, a regional public transportation authority, provides bus, rapid transit, commuter rail, light rail, and trolleybus services across five counties in and around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
On January 10, 2025, Jackie completed her final trip, operating a train from Philadelphia International Airport to Suburban Station.
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As she stepped off the train for the last time, she was met with cheers, applause, and warm embraces from friends, coworkers, and loved ones who gathered to celebrate her remarkable journey.
Overwhelmed by the heartfelt farewell, Jackie later shared her emotions with NBC10.
“I was shocked. I did not expect that. When I went home, it just hit me. I cried Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday, all day. I just couldn’t believe the outpouring of love they had for me and I have the same for them,” she said,
Jackie’s SEPTA journey began in August 1984, when she stumbled upon a job advertisement in The Philadelphia Inquirer. She applied and was hired just a few weeks later.
According to a Facebook post from SEPTA, she initially had no intention of staying long, but soon, she fell in love with the job. Despite the demanding hours, she successfully balanced her work and family life.
Throughout her 40-year career, Jackie was an exemplary employee. According to Yahoo News, she maintained a flawless attendance record, never had any operating rule violations and ranked first on the seniority roster.
She admitted that being the first female engineer came with challenges and immense pressure.
“I felt like all eyes were on me, and it took a while for me to become comfortable. Some of the old-timers were reluctant to work with me. They couldn’t believe they were seeing a female engineer,” she recalled.
Despite these obstacles, Jackie persevered. Her dedication and resilience helped break down barriers, inspiring a new generation of women to pursue careers in the rail industry.
Today, 35 out of SEPTA’s 202 train engineers are female—a milestone made possible by Jackie’s pioneering efforts As she steps into retirement, Jackie looks forward to traveling and spending more time with her family.
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