Dec 05, 2006Articles: Pioneering Fire Chief Fights for Her Job Amid Lawsuits
By vanrozenheim
(CHICAGO, USA) - Two years ago, when Bonnie Bleskachek was named fire chief in Minneapolis, it made news far beyond Minnesota because she was the first openly lesbian firefighter to achieve that rank in the professional fire service of a major city. Hailed as a pioneer, Chief Bleskachek was showered with praise for her years of hard work. Perhaps no one was more pleased with the appointment than Mayor R. T. Rybak, a supporter of gay rights who made the promotion a media event. But last Wednesday, it became clear that everything had changed. Citing a lack of confidence in Chief Bleskachek’s management style, Mr. Rybak asked the City Council to fire her.
