Report Inappropriate Comments

Growing up I got to watch my grandfather, father and uncles running to fire calls at the Main St. firehouse. My family lived to be volunteers. But when I turned 18 it was not to be the case for me, since I was a woman.

I went on to become other things but have always felt that I would have been the first in line on my 18th birthday to get sworn in as a firefighter by my father, an ex-chief. You see, our family has it in our blood. It is now almost 50 years since my 18th birthday, and I salute my niece for having the guts to go for it and to succeed, and I want to thank the "boys' club" for accepting her as they have.

Terry Torborg McDonagh

From: In the pink: Women welcomed into East Rockaway Fire Department

Please explain the inappropriate content below.