Seattle (Wash.). Office of Women's Rights

The Office of Women's Rights, an agency of the Executive Dept., was established in 1973. Prior to 1973, the Women's Division was a separate office within the Office of Human Resources, serving as staff support for the Seattle Women's Commission. The office developed and coordinated programs to promote equal opportunity for women and sexual minorities. The office was abolished in 1997, and its responsibilities were assumed by the Office for Civil Rights. In 1975, Seattle mayor Wes Uhlman and the City Council ordered the Seattle Fire Dept. to begin hiring women as firefighters. Seattle Personnel/Civil Service, the Fire Dept., and the International Association of Firefighters began recruiting women and minorities for firefighting work. However, of forty-five women who applied, only nine were able to pass the physical examination, and none of the seven who entered the recruit class completed the program. Physical ability and mechanical ability were cited as "deficiencies" that made completion of the training difficult for women recruits. Personnel and Civil Service created a Pre-Recruit Firefighter Program which would involve both physical training and mechanical education; the program, beginning in Jan. 1977, was intended to prepare women recruits for further training as firefighters. The Fire Dept. administered the program, while Personnel and Civil Service provided support. Dr. T. Lee Doolittle of the University of Washington prepared a physical training program; training took place at YMCA facilities and was supervised by YMCA staff. Covered in the mechanical section of the program were plumbing, electricity, and lumber, as well as hoses, ropes and knots, and ladders. Two of the three women who enrolled in the initial pre-recruit training program resigned; the remaining recruit, Bonnie Beers, completed the program in 1977. Beers went on to complete recruit training and became Seattle's first woman firefighter; she became a lieutenant in 1981 and a battalion chief in 1996. Throughout 1977 and 1978, recruitment of women continued and the pre-recruit program was further refined and developed.

From the description of Women firefighters project records, 1974-1980. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71129829

By the end of 1973, twenty-five percent of the City's employees were women, few of whom worked in management, protective services, and the trades. Through a 1972 executive order, Seattle's Mayor instituted a voluntary affirmative action plan for increasing the number of women and minorities in City employment. In response to the executive order, the Office of Women's Rights, the Human Rights Department, and City departments set overall City affirmative action goals. In 1978, the Mayor required that departments establish yearly departmental goals, by job category, for hiring women and minorities through an Affirmative Action Plan. The Office of Women's Rights was responsible for ensuring the success of the affirmative action program with respect to women; the Office worked with the Department of Human Resources, which was responsible for the disabled and elderly, and with the Human Rights Department, which was responsible of minorities. The Personnel Department assisted with recruitment, training, employee relations, and other issues relating to affirmative action.

From the guide to the Affirmative Action Records, 1972-1985, 1979-1983, (City of Seattle Seattle Municipal Archives)

From the guide to the Office for Women's Rights Subject Files, 1971-1996, (City of Seattle Seattle Municipal Archives)

The Office for Women's Rights, an agency of the Executive Department, was established in 1973. Prior to 1973, the Women’s Division was a separate office within the Office of Human Resources, serving as staff support for the Seattle Women’s Commission. The Office developed and coordinated programs to promote equal opportunity for women and sexual minorities. The office was abolished in 1997, and its responsibilities were assumed by the Office for Civil Rights.

In 1975, Seattle Mayor Wes Uhlman and the City Council ordered the Seattle Fire Department to begin hiring women as firefighters. Seattle Personnel/Civil Service, the Fire Department, and the International Association of Firefighters began recruiting women and minorities for firefighting work. However, of 45 women who applied, only nine were able to pass the physical examination, and none of the seven who entered the recruit class completed the program. Physical ability and mechanical ability were cited as "deficiencies" that made completion of the training difficult for women recruits. Personnel and Civil Service created a Pre-Recruit Firefighter Program which would involve both physical training and mechanical education; the program, beginning in January 1977, was intended to prepare women recruits for further training as firefighters.

The Fire Department administered the program, while Personnel and Civil Service provided support. Dr. T. Lee Doolittle of the University of Washington prepared a physical training program; training took place at YMCA facilities and was supervised by YMCA staff. Covered in the mechanical section of the program were plumbing, electricity, and lumber, as well as hoses, ropes and knots, and ladders. Two of the three women who enrolled in the initial pre-recruit training program resigned; the remaining recruit, Bonnie Beers, completed the program in 1977. Beers went on to complete recruit training and became Seattle's first woman firefighter; she became a lieutenant in 1981 and a Battalion Chief in 1996.

Throughout 1977 and 1978, recruitment of women continued and the pre-recruit program was further refined and developed.

From the guide to the Women Firefighters Project Records, 1974-1980, (Seattle Municipal Archives)