The Detroit Public Safety Foundation is celebrating “Women In Blue” for the month of May. The Women in Blue program is a celebration of the women within the Detroit Police Department, Detroit Fire Department and EMS. In last week’s episode I spoke to an amazing police officer. This week to support the “Women In Blue” program, I chatted with Senior Firefighter Shannon Moran who makes it a point to empower other women who want to join the department.
Shannon is amazing woman who has dedicated 20 years to the Detroit Fire Department. She is a 2nd generation firefighter, following the footsteps of her Grandfather who retired as a Chief with DFD. Shannon loves to serve the community where her fire station is located and gave me insight into what an average day is really like. She also pointed out the challenges that women face in such a male dominated field, and why she has dedicated her time to make sure that other women have a shot at even becoming firefighters. Shannon is an inspiration, and when you listen to the interview, you will hear for yourself, why she is a “WCSX Woman Who Rocks”.
The website Buzzfeed did a series last year on what it takes to be a firefighter and this video shows both the physical and mental demands.
There are over 1.1 million firefighters in the United States and according to the National Fire Protection Association, only 7% are women. Arguments for why there are so few women on the job are common: They don’t want to work in a dangerous, dirty industry, and they just aren’t strong enough to deal with the physical demands, which include wearing up to 125 pounds of gear or carrying unconscious victims down a darkened stairwell. The other major issue, that fortunately is changing for the better, sexual harassment.
In the 2nd half of the podcast Cyndy Schalter-Salsido from Turning Point Macomb and I discuss body shaming. Our conversation stems from a major news story in Detroit last week. A catholic school created a campaign called a “Modesty Poncho” to remind girls planning on attending prom to make sure their dresses aren’t too revealing. The school received major backlash about its’ campaign, and ended up stopping it, but it did spark a conversation on what body shaming really is.
Cyndy and I also discuss how to have a conversation with your children about body shaming and why anyone making any comment about your figure in a negative way is not okay.
(Cyndy Schalter-Salsido)
YOU ARE NOT ALONE…
TURNING POINT IS HERE TO HELP
Domestic violence and sexual assault rob an individual of their sense of safety, power, and dignity. Turning Point provides emergency and support services to meet both the immediate and long-term needs of survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Turning Point strives to provide a safe non-judgmental place for survivors to explore their feelings and options, and regain control of their lives.
There is a 24 crisis line:
586.463.6990