[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 191 (Thursday, December 8, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING FRANKIE HARDAWAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DWIGHT EVANS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2022

  Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of Mrs. Frankie Hardaway. Frankie was a community-oriented woman who 
led a fulfilling life and broke barriers in her career.
  Frankie was born on March 29, 1934, in Augusta, GA to Alonso and Alma 
Gadley. She moved to Philadelphia, PA with her family in 1942. Frankie 
graduated from West Philadelphia High School in 1953 and became a 
Practical Nurse. She married Lucius Hardaway in 1956 and together they 
had three sons.
  In 1977, Frankie joined Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority 
(SEPTA) as a trolley operator. In 1982, she completed a month-long 
training program and became the company's first female train operator. 
SEPTA described her as a ``legend'', she was a trailblazer in her 
field. She faced many obstacles during her training period. She handled 
them with dignity and class and became a well-respected peer amongst 
the train-operator community. Mrs. Hardaway retired form SEPTA in 1999 
having held a groundbreaking career. She understood that being the 
first in her field would be difficult but an important task to ensure 
opportunities for those who would follow.
  Outside of her career with SEPTA, Frankie was an established 
businesswoman who owned a dry-cleaning business with her husband, she 
was a seamstress and worked for the Internal Revenue Service performing 
data entry tasks. In her spare time, Frankie loved to read and stay 
active and engaged in the community.
  Frankie passed away on November 10, 2022, peacefully at home 
surrounded by family. She was a loving matriarch, friend and relative 
who exuded a generous spirit and devotion to others. The 3rd 
Congressional District of Pennsylvania mourns with her family and 
extends our sincere appreciation to her accomplishments.

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