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Trailblazing Black Jacksonville firefighters experienced racism, sexism on the job
Read full article: Trailblazing Black Jacksonville firefighters experienced racism, sexism on the jobJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – For the dozens of Black firefighters that work in Jacksonville today, there are four trailblazers that opened the door. They endured racism and sexism as the first Black men and women to work for Jacksonville Fire and Rescue after the Reconstruction era. Glenda Hopkins, Alonza Bronner, George Smith and Wanda Butler were all firefighters in Jacksonville serving for decades. At the time Smith and Bronner said they did not feel welcomed by their fellow white firefighters. Butler, Hopkins, Bronner and Smith found themselves battling fires, saving lives and fighting for equality at the same time.