History of Female Guides

Breaking Barriers: The Story of Female Cave Guides at Oregon Caves

Fifty years ago, it may seem hard to believe now, but all the cave guides at Oregon Caves National Monument were men. In the summer of 1970, this began to change as job opportunities for women in traditionally male-dominated fields started to expand. Those who were adults at the time recall how swiftly these changes were unfolding, but for younger generations, the struggles women faced in entering such jobs may seem surprising.

A Strict Division of Roles

Before the changes, Oregon Caves National Monument, like many workplaces, maintained a rigid division between male and female roles. Men filled positions such as cave guides, maintenance workers, security staff, and bar hosts, while women worked in roles like waitressing, gift shop clerking, kitchen help, housekeeping, and even as nursery workers, caring for children too young to join the tours.

This segregation extended to housing as well. Male staff were housed together in the Guide Shack, while the women lived in the nearby Chalet, now the Visitors Center. Strict rules prohibited workers from entering the opposite housing, and anyone caught where they weren’t supposed to be risked being fired.

The Turning Point: A Young Woman’s Request

In August 1970, a young woman who worked as a Ticket Clerk asked the Concessions Manager if she could become a cave guide. She was quickly dismissed, with the Manager citing a lack of available housing and advising her to abandon the idea of being a guide. Upset but determined, she sought help from the highest-ranking National Park Service employee at the Monument, the Assistant Manager.

Recognizing the injustice, the Assistant Manager informed her that it was illegal to deny someone an employment opportunity based on their gender. He advised her to write a formal letter describing her situation. Taking his advice, she filed her complaint, and the Assistant Manager sent copies of her letter to several key figures, including his supervisor, the Superintendent of Crater Lake National Park, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Concessions Manager.

Retaliation and Solidarity

Shortly after receiving the letter, the Concessions Manager fired the young woman’s boyfriend, who was a cave guide at the time. Though it was never officially confirmed, many believed this action to be retaliation for her complaint. In response to the firing, the entire concessions and guide staff banded together and staged a small strike in support of their colleagues.

Their collective efforts had a surprising and immediate effect. By the following season, a female employee was promoted to the position of Lead Cave Guide, breaking the long-standing gender barrier in that role.

A Lasting Impact

Although the young woman and her boyfriend never returned to work at Oregon Caves, her courageous actions helped pave the way for future generations of female guides. Today, about half of the Monument’s rangers are women. In 2009, as the Monument celebrated its 100th anniversary, Vickie Snitzler, a female Superintendent, led the festivities, symbolizing how far the park had come in promoting gender equality.

This pivotal moment in the history of Oregon Caves highlights how perseverance and solidarity can lead to lasting change. What began as one young woman’s fight for fair treatment helped move the Monument toward a more inclusive and equitable future for all.