LOUISVILLE, Ky. — This Women's History Month holds a special meaning for the Louisville Fire Department. March marks 40 years since LFD welcomed its first three female firefighters in recruit class 158.
Vicki Bell, Deidra Berry and Cynthia Lewis paved the way for firefighters like Captain Tamara Stewart, who has been on the department for about ten years.
“Back in Texas in the 80’s I don’t remember seeing female firefighters," Stewart said of her own upbringing. "So even though we tell our children 'you can be anything when you grow up,' sometimes it takes seeing that to believe it.”
Stewart was previously working as a teacher, when a friend and female firefighter told her she would be a good fit for LFD.
"We see women in all different lines of work and sometimes it just takes seeing another female firefighter to say look speaking from experience saying 'I can do this job and you can too,'" she said.
In the four decades since those first women on the department, Stewart said only 28 women have graduated the Louisville fire academy as suppression members. Today, there are just 14 actively serving in suppression, with several others working in fire prevention and arson.
Stewart said part of the battle is changing the perception that women can't handle the same physical challenges as men.
In fact, she noted, women who make it through the academy pass the exact same physical tests as the male recruits.
"If the men do 50 pushups, it means the women do 50 pushups," she said.
Stewart adds that much of the challenge in firefighting is mental, rather than physical.
“When you are so hot and so tired and feel like there’s nothing left to give you must overcome that," she said. "We don't know if the fire is going to go out in five minutes or five hours and we have to keep going until the objective is met."
Stewart said diversity within the department can help first responders in the field, recalling runs where she was the only female firefighter on scene, and was able to help young or female patients feel more at ease.
“If someone is calling 911 they’re probably already having the worst day of their life perhaps. Any level of comfort that we can provide that’s something," she said. “Having that diversity when we respond to that run that makes us better problem solvers.”
RELATED: 'I ended up loving being in the military': Woman becomes first Mexican-American platoon sergeant
Despite the challenges in recruiting more women to the department, Stewart said the face of LFD is changing. The department recently tapped Col. Kate Clemmer to be Executive Assistant Chief, the highest ranking female in department history.
"Maybe we'll have our first female chief, time will tell," she said.
Ultimately, Stewart's wish for female firefighters now, and those who come after, is simple.
"As a female firefighter we don't want to be known as a female firefighter, we just want to be known as a firefighter," she said.
It's a mission made possible by dedicated first responders blazing a trail and pushing those still climbing the ladder.
“There’s an element of pride that if you can do this job you’re absolutely tough enough," Stewart said. "And we all know women have been warriors. Women have been leaders. We know we can do it. And I would love to see more women apply.”
Stewart said the department will be hiring later this spring. If you want to find more information about going through the academy, click here.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.