LibGuides: Women in the Fire Service: History

Biographies

Molly Williams, a former slave in New York City, is often reported to be the first known female firefighter. She became a member of Oceanus Engine Company #11 in about 1815. Unfortunately not much is recorded about her life, but she is thought to have played an important role during the blizzard of 1818.

On Molly Williams, One of America’s First Female Firefighters
Read more about the life and legacy of Molly Williams.
Chief Nancy: First Woman Fire Chief
Serving in the Cedar Hill Volunteer Fire Department (Rhode Island) in the 1930s and 1940s, Nancy Allen became known as the first female fire chief in the world.
Dr. Sara Brown
Dr. Brown is the acting Director for the US Forest Service’s Human Performance and Innovation Organizational Learning Research, Development and Application (RD&A) Program of the Rocky Mountain Research Station, as well as the 2017 Early Career Award in Fire Operations Recipient and Fired Up Honoree.
Rosemary Roberts Cloud
Cloud was the first female African-American fire chief in the United States. She served as chief of the East Point department in Atlanta, Georgia from 2002 to 2015.

Women in the Seattle Fire Service

Strength & Stamina: Women in the Seattle Fire Department
A history of firefighting in Seattle with a focus on women firefighters. From the Seattle Municipal Archives. Includes numerous photographs.

Historic Photographs

Four women in wide-brimmed hats and boots handle two active firehoses.

29th October 1942: Women recruited for volunteer fire guard duties who are fully trained in fire fighting techniques. Eleanor Isaac and Iris Seaby are working the left hose while Lydia Morris and Emily Johnson tackle the right. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)

Four women sit on a motorcar and side car, holding various pieces of firefighting apparatus.

1925, Women of Achille Serre Ltd’s Private Fire Brigade head off to compete in the London Fire Brigades’ Tournament. (Photo by Hulton Archive / Getty Images)

Four women in collared shirts and work pants hold and aim an active fire hose.

1941, Women train at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard during WWII. (Photo by Hulton Archive / Getty Images)

Women pose with a pump and hose, bucket, ladder, and other pieces of firefighting equipment.

Girton College All-Female Fire Brigade (photo retrieved from victorianfanguide.tumblr.com)

Women in identical dresses and helmets stand in two straight lines and salute.

1916, The UK Women’s Fire Brigade takes a salute. (Photo by Hulton Archive / Getty Images)