Maria Waters, Cavans first postwoman, retired last Friday from An Post after 43 years.
LAST POST Cavans first post-women retires
Maria Waters reflected on her career as Cavans’ first ever postwoman, from cycling in a dress to being one the only vans on a road during a global pandemic. After over 40 years of service, she retired last Friday ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8.
Maria began working in Kells as a telegram writer when she was just 17 years old. On her 18th birthday, Maria was given the option of working in a Cavan, Drogheda, and Naas post office. She chose the latter.
1980 was a rare year when women could work outside the home. Maria was pulling on her father’s An Post cap, but many women were cooking and cleaning at their homes.
I was a bit too tomboy for her, she laughed.
In those days, if a bank employee got married, they had to let you go, she explained, adding that the same went for telephonists.
Maria, who was the only female in the sorting area, said it felt strange at times.
But she remembered being treated respectably. When she started at An Post, the men would open the doors for her. This was for six months. After that, she was considered a member of the crew.
Like everyone else, she carried out bills and cards in Cavan Town by foot in all weathers. After two years, she switched to walking and biking for the Tullacmongan Highfield Road, Swellan, and Tullacmongan areas. Maria had to order a bike for herself because at that time, only males could ride bikes with high bars.
She said that I moved from that to a van. She explained she did her morning bike run and collected mail from various post offices in the county.
She delivered post in the Ballyhaise-Drung region for 16 years, before moving to Kingscourt where she has remained postwoman for 26.
Maria recalled the moment when the first official uniform was introduced, which consisted a skirt and jacket.
They’ve come a long ways with the uniform, especially for females. She said this while recalling the terrible blackie navy material that the original uniform was made of.
She also recalls that back then, wet gear wasn’t a popular option.
Maria spoke about her experience working at the front line during the pandemic.
She said that you were all people saw.
Email overtaken
Back in the day, letters and cards would have kept us busy.
She has noticed that email has become more important over the past 10 to15 years.
The mother of three and grandmother of six reflected on her 43 years at An Post. She was fondly remembered for her work, the people she worked alongside, and the people she delivered mail to.
I will miss the camaraderie, my work mates, and my friends that I have known for 26 years.
There have been deaths, births and marriages, as well as divorces.
It was a pleasure to do the job. Being the first woman in the company, it has made me more mature over the years.
