SEND A GIRL!

She’s the best woman for the job!

Growing up in the 1950s, Brenda Berkman had to find ways to play the sports she loved even though they were not considered appropriate for girls. When she decided to take the test to become a firefighter in 1977, she was no stranger to going against the grain and embarked on a landmark court case to level the playing field, correct the bias skewing the tests, and allow women to enter the New York City Fire Department. Contextualizing descriptions of the sexist beliefs of the time are interwoven with Berkman’s story, which focuses on her will to fight discrimination legally, in the court of public opinion and inside the fire department, as well as her love of and dedication to firefighting. Casually rendered cartoon illustrations are tied closely to the text and show the drama and importance of both fighting for equal rights and fighting fires. While there is no explanation of the use of the word girlin the title and why it is insulting for women to be referred to as such, overall this selection is a positive addition to the growing collection of social justice books for children and will appeal to future firefighters of any gender.

This tale of the first official NYC female firefighter holds quality and feminism at its core.