On #InternationalWomensDay, London firefighter Rosalie Jones sends a message of resilience to girls returning to classrooms as schools reopen.
One of London’s longest-serving Black, female firefighters has a message of positivity and encouragement for girls on International Women’s Day – as children return to their classrooms this week.
Rosalie is as an excellent role model for all girls and young women, as they continue their education, friendships and futures in classrooms today. She embodies the spirit of this year’s International Women’s Day theme #ChooseToChallenge – urging everyone to call out gender bias and inequality, and to celebrate women’s achievements.
Raised in Peckham, south London, Rosalie Jones has served Londoners as a firefighter for 31 years and retired at the end of last month.
As an experienced firefighter, Rosalie has also raised two daughters as a single parent and co-founded the Black and Ethnic Minority Members’ support group (BEMM) which works hard to help the Brigade move towards its goal of reflecting the community it serves. Rosalie also supported our Outreach team with their work to attract more women and candidates from diverse backgrounds into firefighting. She regularly attended fire station open days to talk with potential candidates from diverse backgrounds.
Rosalie said: “In my 31 years as a firefighter in London, I experienced lots of challenges. I feel proud to be one of the first Black female London firefighters to complete over thirty years service.
“It’s has been tough at times. Whether attending a fire, where someone lost a loved one or lost their home; or feeling isolated coming into an occupation where almost nobody looked like me – a Black woman – and trying to help the Brigade improve that. However, I chose to challenge myself and I succeeded.
"In carving out this fulfilling and rewarding career, I’ve built confidence and become mentally strong. I’ve had a fantastic support team along the way – my family, friends, mentors, the Brigade’s Counselling and Trauma Service, and BEMM have all been there for me. I’m proud I helped to build and grow the latter so it can help open doors for those coming through the ranks now.”
The Brigade continues its inclusion work through its Togetherness Strategy, which commits to building a more diverse Brigade that better reflects the communities it serves. Rosalie hopes to encourage the next generation of girls, she said: “My message to London’s girls and young women going back to school today is, don’t be afraid to speak up, and network with as many positive people as you can. Then, remember to celebrate every victory, big and small. You are London’s future and on International Women’s Day, the Brigade and I celebrate you.”
Rosalie is just one of many women in different roles and ranks across the Brigade who have chosen to challenge gender bias and make important contributions to Londoners’ safety.
Recently the Brigade celebrated its #firesciencefive for International Day of Women in Science – women specialising in fire engineering, fire investigation and fuels who provide inspiration to girls looking to carve out a career in science, technology or mathematics as they have.
Last week, on World Book Day 2020, the Brigade celebrated the one-year anniversary of the launch of the children’s book My Mummy is a Firefighter, which seeks to challenge the outdated stereotype that firefighting is a job only men can do.