“That shapely blonde Broad directing directing traffic at broadway and 34 th Street in New York isn’t a motorists’ mirage,” wrote Parade. “She’s a mother of six named Dorothy Donoghue.”

The sexist introduction aside, the article went on to celebrate the new 300-strong army of Traffific Control Agents (TCAS) who were keeping city streets unsnarled across the U.S. Donoghue, 32, who received a starting salary of $8,500 and worked 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., had to learn the ropes. “I was shaky at fifirst,” she said, especially when a bus approached. “If they don’t stop, you have to blow your whistle, walk up and put your hand right up in front of them. It’s not easy.” But, clad in her orange and white striped Day-glo vest and white gloves, she’d learned some tricks: “Once you’re fifirm with drivers and keep them moving they’ll pay strict attention to you.”