Molly Williams -- first known female volunteer firefighter. Molly was an African American slave who was owned by New York merchant, Benjamin Aymar a member of the Oceanus engine Company No. 11 in the city of New York. In 1818, she took her place with the men and helped pull the pumper to fires through the snow in a  1818 blizzard. Molly fought fires wearing a calico dress and checked apron

Judith Livers -- first woman known to have been a paid firefighter. Hired in 1974 by Arlington County, Virginia, Fire Department. Helping her firefighter husband study for his fire science classes, Livers learned about the devastation fire can cause, and was motivated to become a firefighter herself. Now Judith Brewer, she retired from Arlington County in late1999, at the rank of battalion chief.
 

Toni McIntosh -- The earliest Black woman career firefighters. In June of 1976, a Black woman named Toni McIntosh was hired by the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Fire Department. She was probably the first African-American woman to become a career firefighter. She was also the only female firefighter on the PFD for more than eleven years.

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