Molly Williams
Molly Williams (fl. 1818) was the first known black female firefighter in the United States.[1]
An African American, she was a slave of the New York City merchant Benjamin Aymar. She was affiliated with the Oceanus Engine Company #11 in lower Manhattan. During her time in the company, she was called Volunteer No. 11.[2] Williams made a distinguished presence in her sturdy work clothes of calico dress and checked apron and was said to be "as good a fire laddie as many of the boys."[3] Her service was noted particularly during the blizzard of 1818. Male firefighters were scarce due to an influenza outbreak, but Williams took her place with the men on the dragropes and pulled the pumper to the fire through the deep snow.[4]
When asked, Williams always replied: "‘I belongs to ole ‘Leven; I allers runs wid dat ole bull-gine.’"[5]
Notes[]
- ^ "IFD Black History". Archived from the original on 2007-01-09. Retrieved 2007-01-12.
- ^ "History -- The History of Volunteer Firefighting". Archived from the original on 2006-10-18. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
- ^ "History of Women in Firefighting". Archived from the original on October 14, 2014. Retrieved 2015-10-19.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Molly Williams, a black woman and a slave, fought fires years before the FDNY was formed was a pioneer for fellow female smoke-eaters".
- ^ The History of Volunteer Firefighting Marinwood Fire Department
Further reading[]
- Ochlitree, Diana; Kemly (illustrator), Kathleen (20 September 2012). Molly, by Golly! The Legend of Molly Williams, America's First Female Firefighter. Calkins Creek. ISBN 978-1590787212. story book for young children
See also[]
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- American firefighters
- Women in firefighting
- History of firefighting
- History of women in the United States
- 19th-century American slaves
- History of New York City
- African-American firefighting organizations
- 19th-century African-American women