Women firefighters say Sept. 11 has made their profession wrongly seem all male

Boston Globe ^ | 18 Mar 2002 | David Crary

[white trash redneck]

NEW YORK (AP) The question is awkward to ask, but not hard to answer: Why were no women among the 343 firefighters killed at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11?

Numbers tell the story. Nationally, roughly 2 percent of professional firefighters are female. In New York City, women account for just 28 of 11,400 firefighters less than 0.3 percent.

[iranger]

bump

[nmh]

Female physique lacks strength in the arms and torso. Plus, they don't have the guts to do the job. They're too busy emotionalizing over the situation. Males are less emotional and physically stronger. It's just the way it is. Sure you might find a FEW Jane's that look like Tarazan but this is NOT the norm and NOT normal.

When was the last time you say a female casually carry a human being 1/2 to 1/3 more that their weight to safety? Rare if at all. These stupid self absorbed femininsts need to GET REAL and enjoy being female.

[Catspaw]

I'd love to indulge you in bashing women firefighters, but my daughterlost too many friends in the WTC on 9/11. I'd prefer not to disparage their memory and cause her more pain.

[Pagey]

''What was most hurtful was to be so invisible at the funerals and memorial services,'' said Berkman, who heads the small women firefighters union....

GEEZ!Hurtful?Not being Recognized???Again, it's all about me!Forget that the majority are Men--- "In New York City, women account for just 28 of 11,400 firefighters less than 0.3 percent28!!!Look Lady,It's obvious YOU are in a minority Profession (personally chosen for that matter)for women in N.Y. Interesting to know that you have a "Union" w/ 28 members.That sounds special.Be happy about the job you do.Nothing else should matter.I expect this from the Boston Globe too.I'm sure this will be on their Local News tonight.

[ValerieUSA]

I see smallish moms carrying BIG toddlers all the time.

[iranger]

She's not the only one. Many lost far more than that.

[Catspaw]

Sorry. In addition to the firefighter friends she lost--about 40, if I remember her correctly--her town lost about 35 in the WTC.

[sheik yerbouty]

Brenda berkman got her job through affirmative action, and yes, most of the firefighters of 9/11 were men.

[Colonel_Flagg]

The sad thing, is that you would lose that lawsuit bigtime.

I wouldn't. I'd be dead. More is the pity, at least for me.

[ValerieUSA]

oops, you said MORE than their weight. My bad

[iranger]

Is this a contest?

[Catspaw]

No contest. You said, "She's not the only one. Many lost far more than that." You didn't define "that." I told you how many friends she lost, as well as the losses in her community. Nothing more, nothing less.

[wardaddy]

I wanted to be a fireman when I was a little boy so I could drive a "big truck"....my 20 month old son feels the same.

Can we be recognized as honorary victims too....in the spirit of inclusiveness I mean.

[iranger]

Some people lost co-workers, others friends, spouses, siblings, parents or other family members. And then of course there are those that lost everything worldly, all they had and everything they were going to have, namely their lives.

[Catspaw]

Yes, I know. And we still grieve.

[wardaddy]

They can't....that's why they howl incessantly.

[Neets]

Do you know where she is from??

[gratefulwharffratt]

so no one lives happily ever afterall ... so sad. *sniff*

Awww, you poor thing.

Can I offer to console you in your time of sorrow?? We will have you smiling again in no time!!!

I promise I won't act mean toward women, or play control games with you, like the men in the story, or who have posted since then.

[maxwellp]

"....pulling a 165-pound dummy". Many people, particularly large men, weigh more than 165 pounds. And "pulling" bothers me. A female fire person (see how PC I'm being), therefore, cannot pick up a 165-pound or more person, so she's going to drag the person. Well I live in a house that has a rather long staircase. So she can't pick up my husband who weighs a little over 200 lbs., therefore, she'll drag him down the staircase! As a woman, I recognize my lack of strength. If I decided I wanted to join any Fire Department, it would be as a person capable of doing something where I'd make a contribution, e.g., cook, clean, paperwork or answering calls.

[2Trievers]

"I promise ..."

Promises? I don't need no stinkin' promises ... got the real deal ... no cyber-psychos here ... however, you will be allowed to take a number darlin' ... the line forms on the far right. &;-)