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Omeka Image File
The metadata element set that was included in the `files_images` table in previous versions of Omeka. These elements are common to all image files.
Bit Depth
8
Channels
3
Height
3264
Width
2448
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Local (Michigan)
Description
An account of the resource
Local role models provide us with people to look to as we aspire to fulfill our dreams. Sometimes, they might inspire us to achieve goals that we had never thought could be accomplished. The local collection honors those women in Michigan who dared to be different. Some of these women integrated male-dominated fields, like firefighting, while others dared to change law, lead businesses, forward higher education, or fight for social justice. These women help shape our dreams and give Michiganians someone local to provide inspiration.
Person
An individual, biographical data, birth and death, etc.
Birth Date
1957
Birthplace
Louisville, Mississippi, USA
Occupation
Firefighter
Biographical Text
<p>Deborah Stephens was the first female firefighter in the Saginaw Valley region. Stephens faced a lot of challenges being the first female fire fighter. She first joined the Saginaw Fire Department because it looked like a good and interesting job. Having taken a degree from Mississippi State University, she wasn't able to find a full-time teaching job in the area and had worked in various fields. When she joined the department, a <em>Saginaw News</em> reporter quoted her as saying that all she wanted to do was fight fires, not carry a torch for equal rights." (<em>Saginaw News</em>, 2/20/1990) Asked about that statement in 2014, Stephens said that she was happy to have represented females well. That she always tried to set a good standard through continuous improvement and keeping up a good image. </p>
<p>Although an educated and hard-working professional, it was difficult for Stephens to fit into the boys club. As she stated in a 2014 interview, "It doesn't matter how you try to fit in, there is always someone who thinks you should be at home baking cookies." Resentment of her hiring as a result of affirmative action marked the beginning of her career. Physically and mentally, Stephens knew she could do the job, but had to counter those who thought that women weren't strong enough or wouldn't be able to handle the horrors of the job. She stated that she wasn't afraid to do the job, but she was appropriately "cautious"—a good trait in a person who is running into a burning building where other people's lives are at stake. Even though she had all the proper training, she know that she had to "try harder" than a man would. At the time that she was hired, she told a <em>Saginaw News</em> reporter, "I'm going to have to prove myself every day. But whatever I do, I try to do my best." (<em>Saginaw News</em>, 2/20/1990) Doing her best was exactly what Stephens did and earned her a life-long career on the fire department and promotion in 2005 to the officer position of lieutenant. After twenty-two years on the department, she retired. The door that she opened continues to help women. When Ona Hoard became the first female captain in the area, she credited Stephens' mentorship. Women like Deborah Stephens remind us how important it is to have role models and that more women need to continue to integrate the firefighting profession so that young girls have a picture of who they want to emulate and someone to help show them the ropes.</p>
Bibliography
<a href="http://www.i-women.org/">International Association of Women in Fire and Emergency Services</a>
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Deborah Stephens
Subject
The topic of the resource
Firefighting
Description
An account of the resource
First female firefighter in Saginaw, Michigan
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Amy French
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Image: Saginaw News, February 20, 1990
African-American female firefighter
female firefighter