Watch CBS News

Actress Betty White Now A Forest Ranger

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Betty White can now add "Forest Ranger" to her list of honors.

The actress known for her roles on "The Golden Girls" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" was made an honorary forest ranger Tuesday by the U.S. Forest Service. The 88-year-old White has said that as a young girl she wanted to be a forest ranger, but women weren't allowed to have the job.

The Forest Service began in 1905, but very few women were employed during the early years. The first woman to serve as a fire lookout was Hallie Daggett, who was hired in 1913 to spot fires in California's Klamath National Forest. Today, women are 38 percent of the Forest Service's work force.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.