Dear Society:
I am sorry, but not because I did anything wrong. I am sorry that there are people out there who do not think women should work alongside a man, in a male-dominated career. Most of all, I am sorry it is mostly women who feel this way.
Yes. I am a firefighter.
Yes. I workout hard. I train hard. And I love what I do.
No. I am not here to steal your husband.
No. I am not trying to hook up with every guy on the department. Actually, I am not trying to hook up with ANY guy on the fire department. I may flirt and joke around, but it is no different than what you do with the guy at Starbucks or the bag boy at Safeway. There is a very thick line that is never crossed. I have the deepest respect for the guys I work with and think of them as brothers. I trust them with my life and expect they do the same.
I am offended and disappointed there are wives who think their husband should not work with a female. I am here to do my job, one that I have worked darn hard to get. I have a passion and a talent for doing what I do, just the same as every guy on the department and most likely the same as every person judging me.
Please, just let me do my job. I am, after all, a professional. I am educated and love to learn. I am dedicated and love to teach. I am here because it is a great career and I have great aspirations to becoming something more.
I am sorry, but not because I did anything wrong. I am sorry that there are people out there who do not think women should work alongside a man, in a male-dominated career. Most of all, I am sorry it is mostly women who feel this way.
Yes. I am a firefighter.
Yes. I workout hard. I train hard. And I love what I do.
No. I am not here to steal your husband.
No. I am not trying to hook up with every guy on the department. Actually, I am not trying to hook up with ANY guy on the fire department. I may flirt and joke around, but it is no different than what you do with the guy at Starbucks or the bag boy at Safeway. There is a very thick line that is never crossed. I have the deepest respect for the guys I work with and think of them as brothers. I trust them with my life and expect they do the same.
I am offended and disappointed there are wives who think their husband should not work with a female. I am here to do my job, one that I have worked darn hard to get. I have a passion and a talent for doing what I do, just the same as every guy on the department and most likely the same as every person judging me.
Please, just let me do my job. I am, after all, a professional. I am educated and love to learn. I am dedicated and love to teach. I am here because it is a great career and I have great aspirations to becoming something more.
Instead of judging me, maybe you could get to know me. Get to know who I am and not hate me because of who you think I am. Learn to understand that I am here because I want to do something more, not because I am interested in any guy I work with. Learn that I have morals and ethics and beliefs. Learn that I am capable of doing my job. Learn that I have other interests and hobbies and friends away from the station. Most importantly, learn that I am not a bad person. That I am not a "female" firefighter, but rather a firefighter. If you so choose to hate me then, make it because of the person I am, not because of the person you think I am.
Sincerely,
A Firefighter
