federal law required the FDNY to allow women to apply to take the firefighter entrance exam. At that time, even though Brenda Berkman was in her final year of law school, she decided to take the test. She was among 89 women to take that exam, and they all failed. Brenda filed a class action lawsuit against New York City, and in 1982, federal law required the city to make changes to the physical abilities portion of the exam. That same year, approximately 40 women passed the reconstructed firefighter entrance exam and entered the FDNY Fire Academy. Brenda, as well as those classmates who had successfully finished the academy, became the first women firefighters in FDNY history. That also caused changes to firefighter physical ability testing throughout the country. I first met Brenda between the time her lawsuit was filed and when the court decision was rendered. Of course, we’ve run into each other and visited many times since. Her commitment and tenacity to being a firefighter was palpable and inspiring from the first time we met. She was also quite informed about firefighter entrance testing, and helpful to anyone who asked for her guidance. I was responsible for firefighter testing and selection in the Phoenix (Arizona) Fire Department during that time, and between 1979 and 1980, we made significant changes to our hiring process including the physical abilities portion. I find Brenda’s FDNY career just as interesting as how she got there in the first place. She is very well educated having earned a B.A. degree from St. Olaf College in Minnesota, an M.A. in history from the University of Indiana, her J.D. from New York University Law School, and an M.S. in fire protection management from City University in New York. Brenda served on the FDNY for 25 years and retired in 2006 at the rank of Captain. Throughout her career, and even afterward, Brenda was active in firefighter recruitment and pre-training programs for candidates. She was a founding member and former president of the United Women Firefighters and served as a trustee of the Women in Fire Service for nine years. Brenda has received a number of significant and prestigious awards, but none more so than the
23
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator