WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
ANG E L IC A STR OUD G REEN E
BATTALION CHIEF, DURHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT FOUNDER, TAKE BACK DURHAM SECURITY OFFICER, RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR, AMERICAN RED CROSS AND AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
female firefighter is a rarity in the Durham Fire “It was like, ‘You know what?’” Angelica recalls. “‘I’ve had all Department, which is mostly composed of white these occurrences with the fire department, and maybe I should just men. There are only 18 total, or less give it a try.’” than 1% of the force. Those first few years were often tough. She Even more rare? A Black female grew up with three sisters, so she wasn’t attuned battalion chief. Angelica Stroud to communicating with men on a daily basis. Greene was given the title in August Working out with them was entirely foreign. 2020, a department first. There But she kept up. When she wasn’t getting the was no commemorative ceremony to mark the hands-on practice she needed at the department, Firehouse Magazine momentous occasion, but Angelica’s infectious smile she spent hours at volunteer stations – throwing recognized Angelica in 2010 for a fire makes it clear how she feels about the promotion. the ladder off and onto the truck, running safety program she Her ascension comes at a time when the drills, whatever needed to be done. Through her developed for seniors department is struggling to hire more women and own training, she found modifications or new and the disabled. As a result, Firehouse people of color. Minorities make up less than 25% techniques that helped her perform just as well as Subs featured her of the department – many, like Angelica, never her classmates, if not better. face on their cups for a few years. considered a career in firefighting. “Early on in my career, it was a bit of a “I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up,” challenge, because you look out and you don’t the North Carolina Central University graduate see anybody who looks like you,” she says. “As says. “I wanted to be a child psychologist. That I’ve moved through the ranks, things have gotten was the dream.” a little bit easier. And I say easier [due to] the Angelica, chock-full of perseverance, joined the fact that now I’m used to not really seeing a lot force in March 1993 after several encouraging of women, and I hate to even say that because I pushes from her landlord, Frank Delucia, who didn’t want to get used to it.” was a firefighter at the time. She gave him Today, Angelica works 24-hour shifts while a hard no for three years. But old memories overseeing five stations, 35 firefighters and seven of close encounters her family had with fire captains. As commander, her list of duties is long, Durham Fire continued to burn in her mind. Her nieces and but she wouldn’t trade it for anything. Department is actively seeking female nephews got trapped inside their fire-engulfed “If nothing else, I just hope my story reaches firefighters to join. home and ended up with severe burns, and her one other African American female [who wants] Visit durhamnc.gov/ uncle sustained burns in a smaller kitchen fire. to come and join this organization,” she says. “I 622/Become-a-DurhamFirefighter for more Everyone thankfully survived, but Angelica can really didn’t know what I was getting into 24 years information. still hear the screams over roaring flames and the ago, but I’m glad I did. I’m grateful that I’m here.” frantic calls thereafter. – by Hannah Lee
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