Telephone Pioneers of America -- Chapter #38 Papers

Telephone Pioneers of America was established in 1911 as an organization for employees of the telephone industry. Members had to be veterans of the field, most councils required the employee to have worked 21 years or longer. Original members were employed at companies such as American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) and Southwestern Bell Telephone System. Separate councils were organized in cities that were telephone hubs, like Kansas City, Missouri.

By the 1950s, the Telephone Pioneers of America had shifted their focus towards community outreach and service. Additionally members could join as soon as them became employed in the telephone industry.

In the early 21st century, the organization’s name was changed to Telecom Pioneers to reflect the shift from telephones to telecommunications. In 2009, the name once again changed to Pioneers.