60 Years of Human Service

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In 1910, Henry Pope at AT&T (American Telephone & Telegraph) suggested that the company owed its success to its long term workers. He wondered what had become of the pioneering employees at AT&T and made a list with his office partner and a retired friend. They gave the list to the AT&T president who suggested starting an annual reunion.

The Telephone Pioneers of America held their first meeting in November, 1911. Members had to have served 21 years in the telephone industry to attend. The Pioneers added community service as a core value in 1958, and soon after, the motto, “United to Serve Others” in 1959. The name changed from Telephone Pioneers to TeleCom Pioneers in 2002, reflecting industry change. They group changed again to “Pioneers, a volunteer network” in 2009.