The history of female firefighters is much longer than one might think. Women have joined their male counterparts to battle blazes for nearly 200 years. Here are the stories of five famous female firefighters.
Molly Williams
Molly was the first known female firefighter in the history of the United States. She was an African American member of New York City’s Oceanus Engine Company No. 11 in 1815 and also a slave. During the blizzard of 1818, she pulled the pumper through heavy snows to fires throughout the city. She was as hardworking as the men on the crew, but she always wore a calico dress and checkered apron to emergencies.
Marina Betts
In Marina’s 10-year career as a firefighter, she never missed an alarm. She joined a company in Pittsburgh in 1820 and was unrivaled in her dedication. According to legend, she would pour buckets of water over male bystanders who would not help to fight the fires.
Rosemary Roberts Cloud
Rosemary Roberts Cloud is currently the Fire Chief of East Point, Georgia. She is the first African American woman to be made Fire Chief in the United States. She began her career as a firefighter in Atlanta 29 years ago, and today, she manages four fire stations with more than 100 employees. She has been honored in the Hall of Fame for Exemplary Service to Mankind, was the recipient of a Millennium Pacesetter Award, and has received many other titles and honors.
Bonnie Beers
When Bonnie joined the Seattle Fire Department in 1978, she bravely fought more than just fires. She was the target of harassment, gender discrimination, bullying and more from the rest of the all-male fire department. Despite this, she endured and went on to become an excellent firefighter as well as a role model to other women. She retired in 2008 after 30 years of honorable service.
Brenda Berkman
Brenda was one of the first to arrive at Ground Zero on September 11, 2001. She is also the first female firefighter in the New York City Fire Department. In 1982, her lawsuit against the city created a stir among New York firefighters – she argued that the discrimination against women in physical exams was not fair and that some requirements were not necessary for the job. She won the case, but still suffered years of torment at the hands of fellow male firefighters. Despite all this, she rose through the ranks, becoming a respected lieutenant. She retired from the FDNY in 2006.
Molly Williams
Molly was the first known female firefighter in the history of the United States. She was an African American member of New York City’s Oceanus Engine Company No. 11 in 1815 and also a slave. During the blizzard of 1818, she pulled the pumper through heavy snows to fires throughout the city. She was as hardworking as the men on the crew, but she always wore a calico dress and checkered apron to emergencies.
Marina Betts
In Marina’s 10-year career as a firefighter, she never missed an alarm. She joined a company in Pittsburgh in 1820 and was unrivaled in her dedication. According to legend, she would pour buckets of water over male bystanders who would not help to fight the fires.
Rosemary Roberts Cloud
Rosemary Roberts Cloud is currently the Fire Chief of East Point, Georgia. She is the first African American woman to be made Fire Chief in the United States. She began her career as a firefighter in Atlanta 29 years ago, and today, she manages four fire stations with more than 100 employees. She has been honored in the Hall of Fame for Exemplary Service to Mankind, was the recipient of a Millennium Pacesetter Award, and has received many other titles and honors.
Bonnie Beers
When Bonnie joined the Seattle Fire Department in 1978, she bravely fought more than just fires. She was the target of harassment, gender discrimination, bullying and more from the rest of the all-male fire department. Despite this, she endured and went on to become an excellent firefighter as well as a role model to other women. She retired in 2008 after 30 years of honorable service.
Brenda Berkman
Brenda was one of the first to arrive at Ground Zero on September 11, 2001. She is also the first female firefighter in the New York City Fire Department. In 1982, her lawsuit against the city created a stir among New York firefighters – she argued that the discrimination against women in physical exams was not fair and that some requirements were not necessary for the job. She won the case, but still suffered years of torment at the hands of fellow male firefighters. Despite all this, she rose through the ranks, becoming a respected lieutenant. She retired from the FDNY in 2006.
