To the editor:
I am writing in response to the article titled “Don’t tell Lilakos firefighting’s a man’s job,” published in your newspaper (Item, March 18). I am currently a student enrolled in a sociology class at James Madison University and am completing an assignment.
I feel strongly towards this article and the message behind it. I think it is valuable for women and young girls to see women break gender norms. Being from a small town like Lynnfield it is very normal to see women in the teaching profession and see males in law enforcement and public safety.
This article is a small step in providing examples for women to feel as though they can follow their heart and their passions. And not only women but even for young males to see that just because you are a certain gender does not mean you have to fit some kind of mold for an occupation in the future.
Hearing quotes come directly from Suzie Lilakos and her experiences really opened my eyes to how far the world has come, but with the older generations there is still more work to do.
Although Lynnfield is a particularly small town I hope that with this type of representation and attention from this article more women in male-dominated work forces will feel appreciated.
Thank you,
Julia Van Sicklin
Lynnfield
