Mechy Wright recently marked a milestone, celebrating 45 years since being hired in 1978, becoming the first female firefighter in the City of Tampa, then a paramedic, fire investigator and fire inspector.

She came to the United States as a Cuban refugee and says it inspired her to push forward.

"I am going to stay strong and I am going to work at this job and I’m not going to let anybody push me out and people tried, a lot of people did and I just kept battling back,” said Fernandez Wright.

She says the biggest battle was being accepted but that didn't stop her.

She served 20 years, working as a firefighter, paramedic, fire investigator and fire inspector. Fernandez Wright says she is proud of starting public education programs, an arson task force and a camp for burn survivors.

Tampa is now led by its first-ever female fire chief, Barbara Tripp.

Coicidentally, Tripp was sworn in 43 years to the day after Fernandez Wright was hired. The City of Tampa now has 54 sworn female firefighters.

https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2023/09/03/tampa-s-first-female-firefighter-marks-milestone