Newspapers / The Kings Mountain Herald … / Dec. 27, 1979, edition 1 / Page 13
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199 The First Female Assistant Director For The Drivers License Division Of Judy Grindstaff Gets Big Promotion Putting her heart in her back pocket was the first real test Judy (Mrs. Ralph) Grindstaff faced on her new Job. Move over men, another woman has taken over a domain once held primarily by men. This Ume it’s the poslUon of Assistant District Supervisor for the Driver's License Division In the State of North Carolina. Judy becomes the first female employed In this important position, assuming her new duties In the Asheville headquarters of District J on May 1, a district encompassing 18 counties from Forest City west to Murphy and employing 21 license examiners In the district. Although it’s not unusual now, since World War n, to find women employed as license examiners, the role of the asslstsmt supervisor was always held by males. Judy Short Grindstaff, native of Kings Mountain, graduated from Kings Mountain High School in 1964 and got her first Job-tr&lnlng at age 14 as a sales clerk at Eagles Dime Store. From Eagle’s she became a cashier at Winn-Dixie at age 16 and from there went to Margrace Mill where she worked In the Personnel Department from 1964-67. She got her Initiation In the driver’s license bureau in Gutonla as a Typist II In 1967 and was among a handful of typists promoted In 1978 by the state to positions of driver’s license examiners and Judy was transferred to the Shelby office. By April 1976 she had also advanced In rank, to that of sergeant, and In May 1 the assistant district super visor’s position came open and Judy won promotion. Daughter of Mr. and' Mrs. Oscar Short of Kings Mountain, Judy Is married to KM Police Department Ptl. Ralph Oiind- staff and they reside on Henry Street In a beautiful home which features some of Judy’s family memorabilia and handmade Items. Tile couple has enjoyed decorating their home for the holidays and Judy loves to bake, when she has the time, and fill her cookie Jars for company and family. They sdso enjoy music and bowling as hobbles. Judy, who has 12 years ex perience as a driver’s license examiner, confirms that It’s a big decision and responsibility to Issue driver’s license. And, she has had to turn down many requests for license renewals, especisdly from elderly citizens whose vision and hearing are failing. ”It’s hard to see a man cry when he must surrender his license to drive a car but decision-making goes along with the Job,” said Mrs. Grindstaff. Since moving to Asheville, Judy hasn’t given as many oral exannlnatlons as she did In the Shelby office. Does this mean that more new drivers are visiting her, or that we’re better drivers In this area? “Not necessarily”, said Mrs. Grindstaff, who says she has encountered many poor drivers, both sexes, and that one of her ’’students” taking a road test hit a car in a parking lot but for tunately she could recall no Injuries, either to driver or tester. In addition to conducting examinations, Mrs. Grindstaff holds Interviews and oc casionally visits burent<« Checking His License Plate WOMAN EXAMINER—Judy Grindstaff, the state’s only district assistant supervisor In the Driver license Division, checks a license plate before administering a driver’s test. The applicant (in car) is Judy’s husband, Ptl. Ralph Grindstaff. And Now IPs Time To Relax >lf RELAXES—Judy Short Grindstaff relaxes in the living room of the comfortable home she shares with her husband, KM PoUoe Department Ptl. Ralph Grindstaff, on Henry Street. Mrs. Grindstaff combines the role of career woman and homemaker. throughout the district while also assisting the supervisor. There are six examiners on the staff of J District In Asheville and a ’’normal work load” Is about 500 drivers. So, Judy helps out quite often in administering tests. She supervises the ac tivities of the District Headquarters stations and advises and assists ex aminers In the sub-district with difficult or unusual problems. When directed, and In the absence of the District Supervisor, she assumes the responsibility of supervising personnel In the District. Her other duties Include ad vising examiners In District J as to re-examinatlons, special examinations, or Investigation of cases, referring certain cases to examiners for handling and grant extensions, if necessary, as to time for handling. She forwards the Information to Division headquarters. Judy also makes special and relief assignments within the District with Supervisor’s approval and dispatches back-up units such as cameras, typewriters, or thoraters and other essential equipment to District personnel to eliminate delays to the public. A degree of decision making is involved In all cases wherein a driver’s license or learner’s permit is Issued, says Judy. She must observe each applicatn closely to determine If physical or mental deficiencies exist and decide whether to require medical report completion. She also must decide whether to require a medicsd report after questioning applicants about health problems, alcohol or drug problems, prior admittances or commitments to institutions because of emotional or mentsd problems, among other factors. Judy also has to decide if a vehicle Is apparently mechanically safe In which to administer driving tests from the applicant’s demonstration whether he or she is capable of operating a motor vehicle In a safe manner. Judy keeps up with aU new changes In the motor vehicles laws and legislation by at tending special classes con ducted by the Institute of Government at Chapel Hill and took four weeks of special schooling before going to work on her present Job. Although Judy’s present work takes her nearly 100 miles away from home, she finds It most rewarding and doesn’t mind rising early on Monday morning and returning to her desk there. The Grlndstaffs are active In Macedonia Baptist Church and Judy Is a member of the KM Police Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 166. Judy Grlndstaff’s pleasing personality is an asset In her Job wherj she meets hundreds of people from every walk of life. ”I reaUy enjoy my work and find It most rewarding,” she says. AIN -mar Photos By Lib Stewart Cooking Is A Hobby PREPARES MEAL-Cooking Is a hobby for Judy Grindstaff, who likes to prepr.re old-fashioned biscuits and other goodies for ht-r family. Section Q Thursday, December 27, 1979
The Kings Mountain Herald (Kings Mountain, N.C.)
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Dec. 27, 1979, edition 1
13
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