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First Female Beefeater Takes Her Post

After 500+ years, gender barrier falls at Tower of London

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 3, 2007 4:20 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The Tower of London is no longer a man's world—a 42-year-old Scottish woman has become the first female Beefeater. Moira Cameron started work today after 2 months of special training. Like the other Yeoman Warders who work at the tower, she'll guard the crown jewels and lead tours. "This place is magical," she told the BBC.

Cameron served 22 years in the army to become eligible for the £20,000-a-year position. "It's just a wonderful job and I'm very, very lucky to have it," she said, flashing a huge smile. The Yeoman Warders have guarded at the tower since 1485; today, for the first time, one of them went to work armed with lip gloss.

Moira Cameron, centre, who is the first woman to serve as a Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London, Monday September 3, 2007, joins the 35 guards who protect the Crown Jewels. Cameron, a Warrant Officer Class 2 who joined the army at age 16, and now joins the Yeoman...
Moira Cameron, centre, who is the first woman to serve as a Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London, Monday September 3, 2007, joins the 35 guards who protect the Crown Jewels. Cameron, a Warrant Officer...   (Associated Press)
Moira Cameron, who is the first woman to serve as a Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London, faces the media, Monday Sept. 3, 2007, as she joins the 35 guards who protect the Crown Jewels. Cameron, a Warrant Officer Class 2 who joined the army at age 16, and...
Moira Cameron, who is the first woman to serve as a Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London, faces the media, Monday Sept. 3, 2007, as she joins the 35 guards who protect the Crown Jewels. Cameron, a Warrant...   (Associated Press)
Moira Cameron, who is the first woman to serve as a Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London, Monday September 3, 2007, joining the 35 guards who protect the Crown Jewels. Cameron, a Warrant Officer Class 2 who joined the army at age 16, and now joins the Yeoman Warders,...
Moira Cameron, who is the first woman to serve as a Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London, Monday September 3, 2007, joining the 35 guards who protect the Crown Jewels. Cameron, a Warrant Officer Class...   (Associated Press)
The first woman Yeoman Warder, Moira Cameron, from Argyll, wears a Beefeater uniform for the first time at the Tower of London, London Friday July 6, 2007. Former Army senior NCO Moria, 42, started public duties - including guarding the Crown Jewels - in September. (AP Photo/Arthur Edwards)
The first woman Yeoman Warder, Moira Cameron, from Argyll, wears a Beefeater uniform for the first time at the Tower of London, London Friday July 6, 2007. Former Army senior NCO Moria, 42, started public...   (Associated Press)
Yeoman Warder Moira Cameron, left, the first female Beefeater, poses for pictures along with male colleagues, at the Tower of London, Monday Sept. 3, 2007. Cameron, 42, joined the protectors of the Crown Jewels Monday as one of the famed Beefeaters of the Tower of London, becoming the first female...
Yeoman Warder Moira Cameron, left, the first female Beefeater, poses for pictures along with male colleagues, at the Tower of London, Monday Sept. 3, 2007. Cameron, 42, joined the protectors of the Crown...   (Associated Press)
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Related Links

She was packing a mirror, too
Times (UK)

More on how she got the job
Associated Press

More on the tower
Reuters

No, she's not planning on growing a beard
Times (UK)

More on the job and the uniform
Sun (UK)

 
women • beefeater • Tower of London • Moira Cameron • Yeoman Warders • Britain

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