Something about the poet and author Dr. Maya Angelou escaped most people’s attention, until now. She was once employed by our namesake, Market Street Railway Company, Muni’s old competitor, as a streetcar conductor. The first black female conductor in San Francisco history, in fact.

She said this decades ago in “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” when she describes in some detail standing on the back platform of a 7-Haight streetcar collecting nickels from boarding passengers. But now it has become national news, because she talked about it with Oprah. Here’s a clip from that interview, courtesy Harpo Productions.

How Dr. Maya Angelou Became San Francisco’s First Black Streetcar Conductor

Dr. Maya Angelou says the love of her mother, Vivian Baxter, encouraged her to live a life full of pizzazz. It was also that love that helped Dr. Angelou to become the first black streetcar conductor in San Francisco at age 16. “I loved the uniforms,” Dr. Angelou says. “So I said, ‘That’s a job I want.’” When she went to get an application, Dr. Angelou says, the staff refused to give her one. Find out how her mother encouraged her to persevere. Then, see how Vivian made sure her daughter was safe at work during her early-morning shifts.

We provided some photos of Market Street Railway streetcars on the 7-line to the program. They added photos of female transit workers from other systems, not San Francisco’s. The program promotes “How Dr. Angelou Became San Francisco’s First Black Streetcar Conductor.” Hiring records no longer exist, but anecdotal evidence we’ve gathered over the years indicate several African-American found employment on the streetcars a little earlier than Dr. Angelou. That, however, in no way diminishes her incredible story of perseverance and determination in overcoming both racism and sexism to land the job she wanted — when she was just 16 years old.

The video clip is well worth watching.

This image from a computer screen just popped up on our Facebook group (search for Market Street Railway and join!). It shows the last of the 16 PCC streetcars to be renovated by Brookville Equipment Company at its Pennsylvania facility, under a Muni contract. It’s sitting outside, and looks complete.

It’s a very special streetcar for our organization, in large part because of the tribute livery it wears.

Could this mean that this long-delayed streetcar is finally about to head home? We’ll run a a celebratory post when it gets here, documenting its amazing resurrection and explaining why it and its brothers are essential for permanent start up of the E-Embarcadero line.

With warm weather bathing the Bay Area, thoughts turn to a trip on the open-top Blackpool (England) boat tram. And what if it came with a guided tour of San Francisco history?

That’s just one of the special excursions we’ve arranged for 2013. Read all about them here, and sign up now to assure your spot. NOTE: When you sign up, PLEASE print your PayPal confirmation page and bring it with you. We will have a list, but bringing a confirmation page ensures no glitches. You’ll receive a souvenir ticket when you check in.

Oh, and while we’re talking about the boat tram, check out this new “I go topless” t-shirt on this page in our store!