Send a Girl!: The True Story of How Women Joined the FDNY

by Jessica M. Rinker, Meg Hunt (Illustrator)

Overview

Brenda Berkman was often told that she couldn't do certain things because she was a girl. When she grew up, she longed for a job that was challenging, different every day, and required physical and mental strength. In 1977 when the New York City Fire Department finally complied with the Civil Rights Act (from 1964) by allowing women to take the FDNY exam, Brenda jumped at the chance.

But the FDNY changed the rules of the exam so women wouldn't be able to pass it. Even a lot of men couldn't pass this new exam.

So Brenda Berkman took the FDNY to court. In 1982, they finally made a fair test, and Brenda and 40 other women passed. She then founded the United Women Firefighters, an organization that helps train and prepare women to be firefighters. Brenda went on to serve in the FDNY for 25 years, reaching the positions of Lieutenant and Captain, and was a first responder during the attacks on the Twin Towers on 9/11. Send a Girl! is Brenda Berkman's inspiring story.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781547601745
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	03/09/2021
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	1,071,031
Product dimensions:	9.80(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Jessica M. Rinker has a BA in social welfare from Bloomsburg University and an MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She's a freelance writer and the author of several award-winning essays, poems, and short stories. She has three kids and currently lives in New Jersey with her husband, also a children's author.
@jm_rinker

Meg Hunt is the illustrator of Reading Beauty and Interstellar Cinderella and is a printmaker, educator, and all-around maker of things. She was also the recipient of the 2015 Society of Illustrators Gold Medal Award for her contribution to the Illustrators 58 exhibition. She lives and works in Portland, Oregon.
www.meghunt.com
@meghuntillo

Editorial Reviews

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.” - Kirkus Reviews

“This gratifying story is told in cheerful, accessible, inclusive language . . . Engaging, realistic illustrations.” - Booklist

“Berkman’s story offers a refreshing twist for “community helpers” units.” - BCCB

“A great story to read aloud, this book will please students researching the history of firefighting or seeking barrier-breaking role models.” - School Library Journal

“A great read for younger kids who want to be inspired to make positive change in the world. Pair it with Debbie Levy’s I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark . . . . An excellent picture book biography about a courageous activist, advocate, and leader.” - School Library Journal on GLORIA TAKES A STAND

“Adding to the growing, yet still needed, #MeToo books for young readers . . . Textured and digitally enhanced mixed-media illustrations evoke the diversity she celebrated.” - Booklist on GLORIA TAKES A STAND

“A tribute to feminist icon, activist, and writer Gloria Steinem . . . . Engaging.” - Kirkus Reviews on GLORIA TAKES A STAND

“Give[s] a new generation background into Gloria Steinem’s life and influence.” - School Library Connection on GLORIA TAKES A STAND

From the Publisher

08/01/2021

Gr 2–4—Even though Brenda Berkman grew up in a time when there were "girl things" and "boy things," she did not accept it. As an adult, she studied law but found it unfulfilling. When she heard on the news in 1977 that New York City was accepting applications for women firefighters, she signed up. While she passed the written test, Berkman failed the physical test, and sued the city for discrimination, citing the city for not testing fairly. She won. The book tells the story of Berkman's persistence, adversity, and will. Rinker notes though that the fight for equal rights in the FDNY did not end with the legal victory, but continued: Berkman was not accepted socially into the fire department, and she and the other 40 women who passed the exam struggled to find their places. Playful illustrations complement the text, showing Berkman's bravery and strength, and characters with expressions of hope and heartache. Back matter offers additional information about Berkman, a bibliography, and relevant websites. VERDICT A great story to read aloud, this book will please students researching the history of firefighting or seeking barrier-breaking role models.—Lia Carruthers, Gill St. Bernard's Sch., Gladstone, NJ

School Library Journal

2020-12-15
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 girl in 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 (author's note, biographical note, bibliography, websites) (Picture book/biography. 5-9)

Kirkus Reviews