The Perfect Role Model

A very good friend of mine recently found herself in the media spotlight after being denied ‘light duty’ in her role as a police officer secondary to her high risk pregnancy. The attention it got was country wide; with various groups getting involved to make certain she was provided the safest job to ensure her and her baby’s safety. What is unfortunate is that there was not a policy in place to prevent the major mess that occurred, which ultimately brought so much attention to my friend, and the town in which she serves as a police officer.

What I found so horrible, and sad, were the comments by so many that women do not belong in police positions. Why do we as a society still have so many backward thoughts to roles woman can perform in regards to occupations? Certainly our military has proven that women not only do well, but excel in various positions against their male counterparts. Studies by the military have shown that, with training, most women's strength can be greatly increased, permitting them to perform the heaviest tasks required. So why do many (and not just men) still have the mentality that women are not strong enough, big enough, or even smart enough to become valuable members of police forces? It makes no sense to me.

Thankfully, my very dear friend was provided a position within her police department which allows her to remain on the payroll, and stay safe (her baby too). And I would like to mention that throughout this very nationally-made-public-ordeal, she maintained professionalism and told me that her male counterparts (her Chief excluded) rallied around her to show support. Perhaps this mentality should spill out to others who feel women have no place working in male dominant roles. Kudos to you Sonia. YOU are a hero to many (myself included) and a wonderful role model to other women.