Minnesota State Patrol Marks 50 Years of Women Troopers

The Minnesota State Patrol is celebrating 50 years since women first joined its trooper ranks.

Anne Beers, Sue Hackett and Ruth Wittner made history in 1976 as the agency’s first three female troopers.

Speaking with Minnesota News Network at the State Fair, Beers recalled feeling both proud and nervous when she earned her badge.

Beers continued rising through the ranks and became chief of the Minnesota State Patrol in 1997.

She says seeing more women serving as troopers today “makes my heart happy.”