![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130218234825im_/http://www.dhs.gov/journal/theblog/uploaded_images/Smiling-729367.bmp)
Before we start talking about Ms. Erma’s story, let’s put 67 years into perspective. The U.S. hadn’t entered the Second World War 67 years ago, the minimum wage was 30 cents an hour, you could get a coke for a nickel, and the jitterbug was just getting its legs. Oh, and Federal office buildings weren’t air-conditioned, and as Washington, D.C. was essentially constructed on top of a swamp, I would imagine that would make summers…difficult.
Ms. Erma sat across the table, sunken into her chair after just finishing an interview with the AARP. Now here I was, writing for a “blog,” and the latest in a series of people who wanted to interview her. The attention had been steady in recent weeks and had been kindly - if not eagerly - received. I asked her if she was looking forward to her big retirement party on Friday. She grinned and politely shook her head no.
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130218234825im_/http://www.dhs.gov/journal/theblog/uploaded_images/Inaugural-710939.jpg)
Ms. Erma found a job with the Works Progress Administration when she graduated from high school, and her tenure as a federal employee began a few years later when she started working as a stenographer for the Army Signal Corps in 1941—one month before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Her skill earned her a reputation, so when she started looking for work in the private sector after the war, the government asked her to stay; so in 1947 Ms. Erma transferred to the INS, where she remained for 62 years.
Pictured above: Ms. Erma in her ball gown for President Eisenhower's Inauguration in 1953.
Working in the investigations office, Ms. Erma helped dismantle organized crime and racketeers, and over the years handled correspondence in such notable cases as the Tokyo Rose and the Alger Hiss trials and the McCarthy-era HUAC hearings. When she passed her 50th year of service, the then INS granted her with honorary credentials as an agent.
She’s now in the Office of Investigations at ICE and is secretary to the Deputy Assistant Director. A computer has supplanted the Dictaphones and manual typewriters she used at the beginning of her career, though she draws the line at carrying a BlackBerry. Her eyes crinkled into a smile as she explained, “I have enough junk to carry without one of those.” Sing it sister.
Her many friends and colleagues talk about her generous spirit, evident in discussions about how she would stay up all night baking cakes and cookies when an office birthday drew near.
As our meeting wrapped up, a coworker came by to remind Ms. Erma that her Metro Access bus would be coming soon. As we (slowly) walked out with her, it was hard not to notice the fondness with which they treated her. After I said goodbye to Ms. Erma, a coworker turned to me and said, “She’s just got such big heart.”
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130218234825im_/http://www.dhs.gov/journal/theblog/uploaded_images/S2---Morton--Erma-773150.jpg)
Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute and Assistant Secretary for ICE John Morton, at Erma's retirement party
Thanks to Ms. Erma for 67 years of service.
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130218234825im_/http://www.dhs.gov/journal/theblog/uploaded_images/Laughing-772664.bmp)