In Conversation
Shara N. Thompson, MHR, PhD ('28) for Bold. Brilliant. Unstoppable.
Read the transcript
Shara N. Thompson, MHR, PhD ('28): Hi, I'm Shara Thompson. Influential woman asked me to make this video, and I said, of course, sure. I am currently in a change leadership PhD program. And some of you may already know that I opened your doors for women in the fire service. Uh, I'm the first female firefighter hired for the town of Addison, Texas. I'm also the first female cadet to graduate from Collin College's Fire and EMS program. So, even though I opened two doors for women in the fire service, it's not a good history for Addison, Texas. So what had happened is I complained about gender bias to HR and that greatly angered the men that I worked with. And what happened after that is they, they set me up as retaliation. They convinced people that I couldn't apply information like a man and that I was stupid. Eventually, Addison, Texas, uh, wrongfully terminated me for what they said lacks changing dynamics, which I asked, I asked them what they mean by that, and they said that, well, the men say you're ditzy. They think you can't put things together. So, after that, I filed suit in federal court. Sometime during that lawsuit, Addison, Texas placed me under a protective order, which is a gag order. It was covert. I didn't know it at the time. I'm still under that gag order today. Addison, Texas then promoted the men involved because, you know, since I was under a gag order, they just acted like, you know, nothing had happened, they just carried on. So, to me, an influential woman means speaking up despite um the situations like, like I'm in. It means standing up for yourself and taking risks, and I'm still under a gag order today, but I'm, I'm sharing my story to help other people. So, to me, that's what an influential, influential woman is. Thank you.
What's one piece of advice you would you to younger women chasing their dreams?
Shara N. Thompson, MHR, PhD ('28): Hi, I'm Shara Thompson. Influential woman asked me to make this short video, and the question is, what's one piece of advice would you give to younger women chasing their dreams? Well, the advice I would give to young women, especially if they want to enter the fire service, is to follow your dreams. And I would also tell them to understand that you have far more opportunities today as a female firefighter as there were back in the 90s. So, I also think it's important for you to stand up for yourself, but it's all in how it's communicated. I would tell young women to know your rights. Have your facts. Know who has your back and to remain calm. So, remaining calm in a difficult or stressful situation makes you look professional. Now, I already know you're a professional if you're a female firefighter because you've already had to overcome much resistance. And I know that resistance still remains today, but it's very important for you to remain calm. Communication is key, and that is how you're gonna create influence and change in the fire service, and that is how female firefighters today, today are going to make an impact and make it better for the women who are hired after you, and that's how we're gonna keep playing this forward. I really appreciate it, influential woman, and thank you so much for asking me to do this video.
Her Story
About Shara
I’m a fire service neuroleadership consultant, magazine writer, and PhD student researching the impact of how high occupational stress and psychological trauma cause neurological changes and create increased conflict among firefighters. My story is one of resilience and learning to stand back up after adversity. I was the first female firefighter/paramedic hired by the Town of Addison, Texas (Addison), in 1992, when women represented only 1% of the fire service. I am also the first female cadet to graduate from the Collin College Fire and EMS Academy (1991-1992). Like many first-hired women in male-dominated occupations, I faced significant sex discrimination, gender bias, gang-bullying, and retaliation, which ultimately led to Addison wrongfully terminating me, claiming I was a ditzy female who could not make connections like a man. I complained previously about gender bias and unequal treatment, which greatly angered the men to retaliate. I had just won a national leadership award from the University of Texas at Dallas. I filed a federal lawsuit, but the community never knew because Addison covertly placed a gag order on me. They then promoted the men involved afterward. I am still under their gag order today.
Addison may have knocked me to the ground, but I have stood back up. Someone asked me what I do now. I simply said I care and protect firefighters.
I have a change.org petition asking the Town of Addison, Texas, to remove its gag order here: www.change.org/p/addison-texas-needs-to-remove-their-gag-order-against-their-first-female-firefighter
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shara
01What do you attribute your success to?
My Navy Corpsman father was the inspiration for me to become a firefighter. I asked him in 1991 if I could be a fireman, since I had heard that women were now allowed to apply. He said, "Sure, you can be a fireman." You can be anything you want. It was not until several years later that firefighters replaced the term 'firemen'.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering the fire service that it is the best job in the world and that they deserve to be there, but also to remember that the pioneering women who came before them paved the way. For some of us, like me, it cost us our careers to speak up against sex discrimination, gender bias, and retaliation, but taking those hard hits forced policies to change and made it easier for younger generations to enjoy long careers.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My values are professionalism, integrity, and love of community. I have nine Veterans in my family, and public service is all I know. Civic duty is a privilege.
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