Regina Wilson: Saving Lives & Shatter Stereotypes

Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Regina Wilson found herself alone and afraid. Born in 1969 to a single mother, it wasn’t until she was sixteen-years-old that she realized her mother was addicted to drugs and she needed to leave her home. Flying off to live with her grandmother after feeling so broken she didn’t realize her life was about to change forever.

Living with her grandmother really made Regina feel like she was put on this earth to do more than just exist. Giving her the hope and confidence she needed to get by, Regina found herself at a black expo where she was approached by the FDNY asking her to consider joining the crew.

He went on to tell her that very few women let alone African-American women were ever hired so it would be a unique opportunity for her. After much thought she decided she was going to turn her life around and become someone who made her community a safer place.

When she showed up to take her written exam for the fire academy it was only then that she realized between the years of 1982 and 1992, the FDNY had not hired a single female firefighter as she sat surrounded by white men in the examination room.

There had been only 50 women and just 14 African-American women on an FDNY force of over 10,700. With that being said, Regina passed the test and for the past sixteen years she has been the only female firefighter on engine 219.

However, on September 11^th Regina’s skills went to the test. When America was under attack her unit was the first to get called. When a rookie asked to switch units so he could get experience, she didn’t realize that would be the last ride that unit took. Regina’s unit was later called and she proved in that moment to be not only her own hero but also America’s hero.

Overcoming an abundance of obstacles, Regina has proven to be strong, courageous, selfless, and one of the most powerful members of the FDNY community. Regina has turned every moment of the day into a mission to make every second of her life positively impactful for the people around her, and for that we thank her.