Women’s History Month is Cool, But Try Respecting Us in Meetings Too

Ah yes, March.

The month where HR throws up a stock photo of Rosie the Riveter, sends out a "celebrating women" email, and someone orders a sheet cake that says "Girl Power."

Cute. Appreciated. But also, can we talk?

Because if you want to honor women in your department, start by respecting the ones in the room with you right now. The ones with bars on their collars. The ones taking calls, teaching classes, running squads, writing policy, breaking up fights, leading like hell, and somehow still being questioned in meetings by someone who couldn’t lead their way out of a Dunkin' drive-thru.

Respect isn’t a month. It’s a culture.

Here’s the thing about women in first responder roles: We don’t want your flowers if you’re still talking over us in briefings. We don’t need a breakfast if you’re still cutting off our ideas mid-sentence. We don’t need a banner in the break room if you’re not backing us in the field.

And we definitely don’t need another committee or diversity initiative if no one actually listens to what we say.

We are the ones you didn’t see coming.

You thought we were quiet. You thought we were soft. You thought we were here to play nice, play small, and not make waves.

But here we are. Running units. Teaching recruits. Holding the line. Holding each other up. And holding the receipts.

We're mentoring younger officers so they don't have to go through the same crap. We're asking the hard questions. We're standing up and standing out.

And if you didn't see us coming? That’s on you.

You want to celebrate Women’s History Month? Here’s how:

• Back her up when she’s in charge of the scene.

• Stop talking over her in the meeting.

• Credit her idea when someone else repeats it louder.

• Don’t call her emotional when she calls you out.

• Mentor her without trying to mold her into a mini-you.

• Let her lead like her, not like you.

Respect her. Learn from her. Promote her. Trust her.

Because here’s the truth: We’re not going anywhere. We’re not shrinking back. And we are absolutely not waiting for permission.

We’re already leading. Already rising. Already rewriting what leadership looks like.

And trust me, we brought our own damn cake.

—SheResponds