Cleveland’s Only African American Female Firefighter Is Retiring After 30 Years

Cleveland’s only African American female firefighter has hung up her jacket after 30 years on the job.

According to The Root, Daphne Tyus retired from the Cleveland Fire Department on Friday. Tyus was one of only three women in the department. Being the only African American woman in the department was a long and difficult road for Tyus.

“When I got that particular accolade, I said ‘I can do this job,’” Tyrus said in an interview. “I could do it because they didn’t think I could.

“Did I cry? Not on the job,” Tyus continued. “Did you cry? Maybe at home. The next day I got up again and did it again.”

Tyus joined the Cleveland Fire Department in 1987, and today it’s still rare to see a woman on the job in the city.

“You’d never seen a female on the job; however, there are many females across the United States as of today,” Tyus told The Root.

Although she has retired, Tyus wants to train female firefighters in order to help a new generation of female and African American firefighters take her place and show others there’s a solid career in being a firefighter.

Tyus has received many honors during her career and was featured with the other two female firefighters in the city, on the cover of Cleveland Magazine in 2018. According to the article, no woman has been hired by the city’s fire department since 1989. Now the other two women on the cover are the only female firefighters in a group of more than 700.

African American men and women have had a hard time becoming firefighters. In 2017, The Daily News reported 63% of the applicants for New York City’s firefighter entrance exam were African American, Latino, or Asian. However, it took a 2014 lawsuit by a group of black firefighters and a settlement which included a federal judge watching the department’s efforts to hire minorities for that to happen. Many white firefighters spoke out against the lawsuit.

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Cleveland’s Only African American Female Firefighter Is Retiring After 30 Years

Cleveland’s only African American female firefighter has hung up her jacket after 30 years on the job.

According to The Root, Daphne Tyus retired from the Cleveland Fire Department on Friday. Tyus was one of only three women in the department. Being the only African American woman in the department was a long and difficult road for Tyus.

“When I got that particular accolade, I said ‘I can do this job,’” Tyrus said in an interview. “I could do it because they didn’t think I could.

“Did I cry? Not on the job,” Tyus continued. “Did you cry? Maybe at home. The next day I got up again and did it again.”

Tyus joined the Cleveland Fire Department in 1987, and today it’s still rare to see a woman on the job in the city.

“You’d never seen a female on the job; however, there are many females across the United States as of today,” Tyus told The Root.

Although she has retired, Tyus wants to train female firefighters in order to help a new generation of female and African American firefighters take her place and show others there’s a solid career in being a firefighter.

Tyus has received many honors during her career and was featured with the other two female firefighters in the city, on the cover of Cleveland Magazine in 2018. According to the article, no woman has been hired by the city’s fire department since 1989. Now the other two women on the cover are the only female firefighters in a group of more than 700.

African American men and women have had a hard time becoming firefighters. In 2017, The Daily News reported 63% of the applicants for New York City’s firefighter entrance exam were African American, Latino, or Asian. However, it took a 2014 lawsuit by a group of black firefighters and a settlement which included a federal judge watching the department’s efforts to hire minorities for that to happen. Many white firefighters spoke out against the lawsuit.

from Black Enterprise https://ift.tt/2Z6EkIA

NFL players accused of armed robbery at Florida cookout, warrants issued

NFL players Deandre Baker and Quinton Dunbar are facing armed robbery charges after a cookout in Florida on Wednesday ended with them allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of possessions from party guests.

Arrest warrants have been issued in Miramar for Baker, a cornerback for the New York Giants, and Dunbar, who plays corner for the Seattle Seahawks, law enforcement told TMZ on Thursday.

READ MORE: Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker mourns Ahmaud Arbery

Law enforcement officials claim the two athletes, who are both from Miami, were partying at the cookout where guests were playing cards and video games. Things took a dramatic turn, however, when an argument ensued and Baker allegedly pulled out a semi-automatic firearm.

Jabrill Peppers #21, Oshane Ximines #53 and Deandre Baker #27 of the New York Giants react as a play is being reviewed during their game against the Minnesota Vikings at MetLife Stadium on October 06, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Police say Baker and Dunbar then robbed the guests, taking their watches and other valuable items. Baker also allegedly instructed a third man wearing a red mask to shoot a guest who had just walked into the party, but cops say no one was actually shot.

There is also conflicting reports from witnesses, as some told investigators that Baker did not have a gun.

Authorities claim the men got away with $7,000 in cash and several valuable watches including an $18,000 Rolex watch, a $25,000 Hublot, and an Audemars Piguet timepiece.

One witness said they met Baker and Dunbar just a few days before the incident and that the two had gambled away approximately $70,000. Witnesses also told police the men were gambling at the cookout on Wednesday.

Quinton Dunbar #23 of the Washington Redskins looks on during the first half against the New York Jets at FedExField on November 17, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)

Some partygoers believe the robbery was planned from the beginning. Police say when the men finally took possession of the valuable belongings, three getaway cars — a Lamborghini, a Mercedes-Benz, and a BMW — arrived to “expedite an immediate departure.”

READ MORE: NFL’s Earl Thomas held at gunpoint by wife after reportedly caught cheating

The Miramar Police Department confirmed to TMZ that both men have warrants out for their arrest, but said neither have been placed in custody. Law enforcement has reportedly been in talks with the football players’ representatives to negotiate a planned surrender.

Baker, 22, was the 30th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and is expected to start with the Giants this season. Dunbar, who was traded to the Seahawks in March, is also expected to compete for a starter’s position.

The New York Giants issued a statement on behalf of Baker’s alleged involvement in the heist saying, “We are aware of the situation. We have been in contact with Deandre. We have no further comment at this time.”

This story is still developing.

The post NFL players accused of armed robbery at Florida cookout, warrants issued appeared first on TheGrio.

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