Lessons from Female Firefighters

When confronted with yet another story of family-unfriendly policies, prejudice, corruption, or abuse of power by men at work or elsewhere, women often seem to lament: If only women had more power, the workplace -- and the world -- would be a better place. Women should rise to the highest positions of power in every field, I believe, but despite my pro-female leanings, I've never agreed with what seems to be this somewhat naive view. I've never come across evidence, anecdotal or scientific, that women are inherently more kind or fair than men. Power can corrupt anyone; perhaps women appear less abusive only because we have less access to power.

Case in point: Minneapolis achieved a unique milestone two years ago. The city had the highest percentage of female firefighters (70 out of 447), the country's first all-female fire company and the first openly lesbian fire chief of a major U.S. city.

Firefighting -- although a rare choice for a woman -- is in some ways an ideal job for a working parent. The pay and benefits are good, and the schedule (a few days on followed by several days off) allows for lots of time with your children. Minneapolis, which had zero female firefighters until 1986, was applauded for its progressiveness.

But that spotlight has turned up some ugly allegations.

On December 5, The Washington Post reported in Minneapolis Likely to Oust Lesbian Fire Chief that the fire chief, Bonnie Bleskachek may lose her job after being charged with four lawsuits by employees alleging sexual favoritism, harrassment and gender discrimination. (Personal disclaimer: One of the lawsuits was filed by a family friend who I haven't had contact with in eight years.) Bleskachek's ex-partner of six years, with whom she shares custody of two children, filed a suit that has been settled; another is by a longtime friend who dated Bleskachek's current girlfriend; another by a female firefighter saying she was punished professionally for declining the chief's advances; and the final case by a male firefighter alleging that lesbians received preferential treatment in the department under Bleskachek. All this in less than two years.

"She's a very bright, competent individual who train-wrecked her career by letting personal relationships and abuse of her office cloud what could have been an enormously promising career," an attorney in the case said in the article. Bleskachek's view, as quoted in the piece, is "They have no evidence at all; this is all based on conjecture and hurt feelings." Minneapolis Star Tribune reports in No simple solution in fire chief case that Bleskachek will probably receive a negotiated settlement or be removed by the Minneapolis City Council.

Who knows where the truth lies, since Bleskachek has not told her side yet. She is just one person, from whom no larger lessons about gender and power can be inferred. But the situation raises the point that there are great leaders of both genders who understand the importance of fair management and the value of offering employees work/family balance. And there are terrible bosses who are single, married, child-free and parents. Gender stereotypes hold little value in today's workplace -- if they ever did. As women rise to positions of influence, whether in fire departments, corporate America, or politics, we will continue to see confusing cases like the one in Minneapolis, proving that wonderful and disappointing bosses are part of everyday work.

By Leslie Morgan Steiner |  December 13, 2006; 9:10 AM ET  | Category:  Moms in the News
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