Fifty years of service Published March 19, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Cassandra Locke Editor POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The cost of a first-class stamp was three cents, color television was introduced in the United States and Harry S. Truman was president. The year was 1951 and it was also the year Mary Linehan joined civil service. She started her accounting career in Memphis. In 1978, she came to work for what is now Pope's 43rd Civil Engineer Squadron. As a budget analyst, Ms. Linehan ensures that the base is properly allocating its assets. The Ripley, Miss. native said that in her 55 years of civil service for the Air Force, some of the most significant differences in the people are the level of education among the Airmen, the level of security and how safety is perceived. "Back in the 1950s, most people just graduated high school and then got drafted," said Ms. Linehan. "Back then, things were more laid back and the world seemed to be a safer place to live in." Some other significant changes at Pope during her reign have been the operations tempo, the addition of the mission partner units, the quality and quantity of facilities and the rotation of personnel coming through the base. Joe Henderson, 43rd CES budget technician, said he met Ms. Linehan more than 20 years ago when he was an Airman working as a civil engineer at Pope. After the previous first sergeant retired, he started working with Ms. Linehan in the accounting world. "I love working for her, she's an amazing person," said Mr. Henderson. Ms. Linehan feels lucky to have worked with such good people throughout her career. There was a time in her career, however, when she was told to step away from her duties as an accountant and provide coffee for her male counterparts because she was a woman. While the perception at that time was it was a woman's job to provide coffee, she clearly reminded the individual that she was an accountant and should be treated as such. She said back in the 1950s, women were viewed as assets mainly in secretarial areas, but said she personally has never felt discriminated against. "I've never felt pushed in the background," she said. Since Ms. Linehan's time at Pope, she has seen the status of women significantly change. One thing she applauded was how the names of certain duty titles have been changed to give them credibility and to help eliminate the stigma behind female employees. One duty title mentioned was going from secretary to administrative assistant. "It sounds so much better," she said. Ms. Linehan joined the civil service team to gain her independence as a then single woman. She said she didn't want to have to live with her parents anymore and wanted to make her own living. At 78 years old, she still has more energy than ever. "I enjoy working. It gives me something to get up for everyday," said Ms. Linehan.