A Newcastle firefighter has opened up about the journey to achieving her dream job in the hopes of inspiring others on International Women's Day.
Bev Roberts, from Ashington, first joined Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) 16 years ago as a recruit and worked her way up the ranks to become crew manager at Newcastle Central Community Fire Station. The 40-year-old said the appeal of a career in the fire service was being able to help people and the fact that "every day is different".
But it was crucial advice she received as a child that gave her the confidence she needed to secure her dream job. Parents Joe and Betty told her that "you can be and do anything that you want to do….nothing should hold you back.”
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Now Bev is using International Women’s Day (IWD) today (March 8) to spread that message and show other women how accessible a career as a firefighter can be.
“For me, International Women’s Day is all about women embracing empowerment, and for everyone to celebrate the amazing achievements that have already been made by billions of women worldwide," she said.
“I hope IWD promotes how people should strive towards becoming part of the solution rather than being part of the problem.
“I’d like to see people being educated about discrimination, taking action to drive gender equality, and embracing the achievements of women in the workplace across our communities.”
Bev, who is the co-chair of the TWFRS Gender Network, said the fire service has come a long way to becoming an inclusive workforce. This includes introducing a new maternity and menopause policy and flexible working to help with childcare.
Bev said: “I’m proud of the way we as a workforce have united together and shared our stories and experiences, good and bad, and how that has led towards positive change. We know we have places to go and new directions to follow but we are on the right path.”
International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
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