Women Firefighters Show Discouraged Little Girl She Can Be One Too

Here is how Twitter told this little girl that she can be anything that she wants to be.

What would you do if your daughter says that she wants to be a boy, “so she could be a fireman?”

UK-based journalist Hannah Summers was puzzled when her daughter said that she wants to be a boy as she did not “want to be the only girl” in the fire brigade.

The journalist took to Twitter for help finding books or videos that can help banish the stereotype that only boys can be firefighters.

My 4yr old came home yesterday saying she wished she was a boy so she could be a fireman. When I said girls can be firefighters too she said ‘but I’ve seen in books they are all boys and I don’t want to be the only girl.’ Any good vids/books I can show her? #FirefightingSexism

— Hannah Summers (@hansummers) January 18, 2019

Here Is How Twitter Responded

The Twitterati flooded Summers’ Twitter feed with great examples of female firefighters. Not only did citizens come forward to help, but also various fire departments from around the country. They used #firefightingsexism to spread the word.

The West Midlands Fire Department made a short video for Summers’ daughter, Esme, featuring multiple women firefighters to help break the stereotype that only boys can be firefighters.

.Esme, lots of our firefighters are girls and boys - some of them want to say hello to you! We would love to meet you and show you what we do. You can be a firefighter too! #firefightingsexism #thisgirlcan @NFCC_FireChiefs @StaffsFire @LondonFire Let's keep this going! pic.twitter.com/ZV1IdrGp3S

— West Midlands Fire (@WestMidsFire) January 18, 2019

Coincidentally on the same day as we picked up the tweet from Esme’s Mum, West Midlands Fire Service were honouring their Staff who had completed 30 years dedicated service; one of which was Julie Cooper our very first female Firefighter who joined in 1989.

— West Midlands Fire (@WestMidsFire) January 19, 2019

This is exactly why our #FirefightingSexism campaign is so important. Please tell your daughter that not only can she be a firefighter but that she can aspire to be Commissioner just like Dany Cotton @LFBCommissioner https://t.co/wot5fC3SON

— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) January 18, 2019

The London Fire Brigade told Esme that not only can she be a firefighter, she can even be the Commissioner, citing Danny Cotton as an example and role model.

Sad to see gender stereotyping persisting.
We have 4 women out of @SFRS unit of 11. We are all firefighters. Get over it.

To girls/women everywhere: Be proud, dream big, follow your dreams, be brave, be what you want to be.

Gender is not a barrier.#FirefightingSexism #ican pic.twitter.com/7uBhpATHtV

— Carrbridge Fire Station (@CarrbridgeFire) January 19, 2019

Esme, you certainly can be a firefighter - it's not just for boys!👩‍🚒#FirefightingSexism https://t.co/Li34UhajL5

— West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (@WYFRS) January 18, 2019

Hi Hannah I’m also a firefighter in the London Fire Brigade, your daughter can be anything she wants. Don’t let gender stand in the way! #FirefightingSexism #firefighter #girlpower #girlscandoanything 🚒👨‍🚒 pic.twitter.com/KtgGzeUnqg

— Rebecca Rowe (@bexrower) January 18, 2019

She Can Do Anything

So I tweeted that my 4yr old daughter wished she was a boy so she could be a fireman and this is the response from West Midlands Fire Service. You lot are amazing! Thank you so much - I can't wait to pass on the message. She'll love it #girlscandoanything #firefightingsexism https://t.co/MA70f0XPUM

— Hannah Summers (@hansummers) January 18, 2019

Overwhelmed by the respnse to her request on Twitter, Hannah thanked everyone who had encouraged her daughter.