Molly Williams facts for kids
Molly Williams was an amazing and brave woman who lived a long time ago, around 1818. She made history as the very first known female firefighter in the United States. She was also the first known Black firefighter.
Who Was Molly Williams?
Her Life and Role
Molly Williams was an African American woman. She lived in New York City and worked for a man named Benjamin Aymar, who was a merchant (someone who buys and sells goods).
She was part of a fire company called Oceanus Engine Company #11. This company was in a part of New York City called lower Manhattan. In the fire company, people knew her as Volunteer No. 11.
Molly was easy to spot because of her work clothes. She wore a strong calico dress and a checked apron. She worked hard alongside the men.
A Heroic Act
Molly Williams became especially famous during a big snowstorm in 1818. At that time, many male firefighters were sick because of a serious illness called cholera. This meant there were not enough people to fight fires.
But Molly was ready to help! She bravely joined the men. She grabbed the dragropes and helped pull the heavy pumper (a type of fire engine) through the deep snow to reach the fire. Her service during this blizzard was truly remarkable.
When people asked her about her work, Molly always had a clear answer. She would say, "‘I belongs to ole ‘Leven; I allers runs wid dat ole bull-gine.’" This showed her strong loyalty to her fire company, Oceanus Engine Company #11.
Her Legacy
Molly Williams showed incredible courage and dedication. She broke barriers by becoming the first known female and Black firefighter. Her story reminds us that heroes can come from anywhere. She helped pave the way for other women and people of color to join emergency services.
