The following appeared in Forest Park Review, our fellow Growing Community Media publication, 50 years ago, May 7, 1975:
Mrs. Mary Mackay of Berwyn is one of more than 2,000 Illinois Bell operators who will be on duty at the switchboards on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11th. Mrs. Mackay, who works at the Oak Park office at 714 Lake Street, has seven children of her own, five girls, two boys.
She takes special pride in working on Mother’s Day.
“I’ll be helping people talk to their mothers all over the world,” she said, “and if they can’t be with their mothers, that’s the next best thing. It’s very rewarding to me to hear the happiness in the voices and to know I’ve helped.”
The Mackay household has a rousing celebration planned: a dinner for 20, including Mrs. Mackay’s mother, her brother and his family when Mom is through with her tour at the switchboard.
Jill Wagner
Forest Park Review archivist