Brenda Berkman

Captain Brenda Berkman permanently changed the face of firefighting. A nationally and internationally recognized trailblazer for women in non-traditional employment, she won the U.S. federal sex discrimination lawsuit in 1982 that changed history by breaking down barriers to women firefighters. She has founded and led several national organizations of women firefighters and has relentlessly fought sexism and gender stereotypes ever since. She was featured in the landmark PBS documentary "Makers: Women Who Make America" as well as "Taking the Heat," which chronicles the struggle to integrate women into the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), also on PBS.

From 1978 to 1982, Capt. Berkman worked as a lawyer specializing in employment and immigration law, including pro bono representation of applicants seeking asylum. She gave up her career in law in order to become a firefighter. Despite the discrimination that was directed at her personally because of the lawsuit, Capt. Berkman was promoted to Lieutenant and then Captain in the FDNY. She was the first woman firefighter to serve on several committees of the National Fire Protection Association. In 1996-1997, Capt. Berkman served as a White House Fellow, the first professional firefighter -- female or male -- to be awarded this prestigious leadership development fellowship in the history of the program. A first responder on 9/11, Capt. Berkman has led efforts to ensure that the role of female responders were recognized equally with their male counterparts.

Following her retirement from the FDNY after 25 years of service, Capt. Berkman's interests have shifted to printmaking and volunteer work. She continues to advocate for women firefighters globally while promoting and supporting other non-traditional roles for women. She is also a walking tour guide at the 9-11 Memorial in New York City to honor her friends and colleagues who were lost on that day, and to help educate visitors. Additionally, she volunteers in support of many groups working for women’s equality.