Fire Station No. 16 /Atlanta's First African-American Male ~ Female Firefighters

(side 1)
During the civil rights movement, members of the African-American community pressured the Mayor and City Council of Atlanta to integrate the city's fire department. In 1962, Mayor Ivan Alan, authorized the first hiring of sixteen African American firemen. On April 1, 1963, after completing training, they were housed at Fire Station No. 16, as stations were not yet integrated. Located in 1048 Simpson Rd. (now Joseph E. Boone Blvd.), the station was built upon the former property of Theodore “Tiger” Flowers, the world's first African American middleweight champion.

Continuing the efforts to diversify the fire department, Mayor Maynard Jackson ordered the hiring of seven African-American women to serve as firefighters in 1977.

Presented by Council member Julian Bond, Post 1 At-Large
MMXIII

(side 2)
Atlanta's first African American Male Firefighters

Johnny Belcher Ralph Lester
Frank Bolden Quinton Redding
Harvey Bowen Harold Rosemond
Theodore Ector James Maddox
William Hamer Elbert Morrow
Milton Harp Marvin Reed
William Callier Emmett Smith
Gatrell Jordan, Jr. Robert Ware

Atlanta's First African American Female Firefighters
Lisa Bradley
Shella Calloway
Louvenia Jenkins
Janice Jones
Sheila Kirkland
Emma C. Morris
Liz R. Summers

Presented by Councilmember Michael Julian Bond, post 1 At-Large
MMXIII
Dedicated by Councilmember Michael Julian Bond, post 1 At-Large
and Atlanta Fire Rescue Department chief Kelvin Cochran
April 1, 2013

Plaque courtesy Lat34North.com.

Original page, with additional info, here.

Photo credit: David Seibert.