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Brenda Berkman '73 to present film and discussion

by Pat Anfinson
March 13, 2007

Holland Hall, 501, 7 p.m.

Brenda Berkman - New York firefighter and St. Olaf alumna will present a film documentary,Taking the Heat: The First Women Firefighters of New York City, comment on her experiences and take questions.

Berkman, a captain in the New York City Fire Department, is an advocate for women in the profession. In 1978 she filed a class-action lawsuit against NYPD complaining that the physical fitness portion of the exam was too rigorous for women to pass.

In 1982, in response to her suit, a federal judge ordered the city to lower the standards on the physical exam, opening the doors for women to begin their firefighting careers. Berkman's struggle as a firefighter continued in the ensuing years as she and other female firefighters experienced daily discrimination and retaliation from their male counterparts, an existence that continued until the aftermath of 9/11 when the heroic feats of all NYPD firefighters helped them to form a common bond.

Berkman is a summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of St. Olaf. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in history in 1973 and went on to earn three graduate degrees: a master of arts in American history from Indiana University, a law degree from the New York University School of Law and a master of science in fire protection management from John Jay College.

Beckman's presentation is free and open to the public.

Contact Pat Anfinson at 507-786-3032 or panfin@stolaf.edu.