Fire Department of New York City Confronts Gender Integration: A Tale of Minor Success and Major Woes as Organizational Change Meets a Culture of Resistance

Authors

  • Sheila H. Akabas Columbia University

Abstract

After a federal court declared the test for the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) to be discriminatory, women were able to pass the test to be appointed to the department. In this narrative, the author reflects on her experiences leading a team of social workers and other social scientists hired to help the department overcome the unwelcoming and treacherous behavior of the male labor force to the employment of women. Using an organizational change model based on Kurt Lewin's work, the team tested a variety of participative interventions to which the culture reacted in hostile and unreceptive ways. The disappointing solution hinged is described below. The experience confirmed the value of social work advocacy and the importance of federal law and court enforcement.

Downloads

How to Cite

Akabas, S. H. (2014). Fire Department of New York City Confronts Gender Integration: A Tale of Minor Success and Major Woes as Organizational Change Meets a Culture of Resistance. Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping, 16(2), 79–86. Retrieved from https://reflectionsnarrativesofprofessionalhelping.org/index.php/Reflections/article/view/825

Issue

Section

General Submissions