meet "Jean" - aerial tram car

The first lady of the portland aerial tram is none other the Jean Richardson, the first female to graduate with a civil engineering degree in the state of Oregon. Below are pictures of the aerial tram car named "Jean" after this remarkable woman. Jean Richardson graduated from Oregon State University in 1949 with an engineering degree. She began working "pro bono" until her employer deemed her work competent and worthy of a paycheck. Jean persevered through this early discrimination and paved the way for women in a field largely dominated by men. I wonder how she feels having a shiny silver bubble that traverses the Portland sky named after her?

Tram car named "Jean" docking at the upper terminal at OHSU's Peter O. Kohler Pavillion.


This plaque is located inside "Jean." That just sounds weird.


This is "Jean" traveling up from the bottom terminal at OHSU's Center for Health and Healing (seen in the background) on the south waterfront (SoWa).

pictures of the aerial tram

Monday 03-05-07 - View from the base of the tram on a beautiful spring day without a cloud in the sky.

Tuesday 03-06-07 - View of the tram from the parking lot of OHSU's Center for Health and Healing on another beautiful day. Temperature reached a high of 69 degrees in Portland.

Wednesday 03-07-07 - This picture was taken from the 12th floor of OHSU's Center for Health and Healing located at the base of the tram. After a couple days of sunshine, the rain and clouds are back.

take a ride on the aerial tram

This is a great video of the aerial tram. It was filmed on 01/27/07, the tram's grand opening, by youtube user sparklythingz. If you live in Portland and haven't had a chance to ride the tram yet, or if you live outside of Portland and haven't made the trip, ride along with this video.