Brenda Berkman Women who have entered the fire service as firefighters, especially in the nation's large metropolitan fire departments, should be aware of, and celebrate, the contributions of former New York City (FDNY) Fire Captain Brenda Berkman. Brenda served for 25 years in the FDNY,
rising to the rank of Captain before retiring in 2006. She has been an inspiration to many women who became aware of her story and followed her career as it unfolded. Brenda was the founder, and first President, of "United Women Firefighters", an organization she created for women serving in the FDNY focusing on recruiting women firefighters and other issues. Captain Berkman's life was full of firsts, including becoming the first professional firefighter ever to be awarded a "White House Fellowship". This is a prestigious and highly sought after year-long leadership development fellowship that she entered in 1996. However, Brenda's incredible fire service story begins several years before she even entered the FDNY Fire Academy. Prior to 1977, women were not allowed to apply to become FDNY firefighters. That changed in 1977, when federal law required New York City to allow women to take the firefighter entrance exam. All the 89 women who took the exam at that time failed the physical test that was being used, and Brenda was among them. She sued the City of New York for gender discrimination and won, and in 1982, she joined the FDNY as a firefighter. Her journey through her earliest firefighting years was not an easy one. She faced significant harassment and even received death threats due to her role in integrating the department.
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