RESOLUTION NO. 250178
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Sponsor: Councilmember Melissa Patterson Hazley
RESOLUTION - Honoring the life and legacy of former Firefighter Carolyn Mitchell, June 9, 1951 - November 18, 2024.
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WHEREAS, the Kansas City Fire Department's 2025 Black History Month theme, "African Americans and Labor," highlights the profound contributions of African Americans in the firefighting workforce; and
WHEREAS, Carolyn Mitchell embodied this theme when she joined the Kansas City Fire Department (KCFD) in 1977, breaking barriers as one of the City's first female firefighters at a time when opportunities for women in firefighting were scarce; and
WHEREAS, through perseverance and skill, Ms. Mitchell became the first Black female Fire Apparatus Operator and later the first Black female Captain in Suppression, paving the way for future generations; and
WHEREAS, she dedicated herself to mentoring firefighters, serving as an instructor at the KCFD Fire Training Academy, and advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion through key department initiatives; and
WHEREAS, her leadership helped establish programs like Camp Fury and Catching Fury, inspiring young women to pursue careers in firefighting and public safety; and
WHEREAS, Carolyn Mitchell’s legacy reflects the resilience, leadership, and advocacy of African Americans in the workforce; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
That the Mayor and Council honor Carolyn Mitchell for her extraordinary contributions to the Kansas City Fire Department and her lasting impact on public service; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to her family in appreciation of her remarkable achievements and enduring legacy.
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