This is the first installment of a new series spotlighting women in leadership across the Bay Area. Each guest will answer the same five questions about the experiences that shaped their paths and share their advice for young women. The goals of this series are to show the groundbreaking experiences of women who preceded us and to inspire our generation to embark on our own journeys despite institutional and cultural headwinds.
Our first conversation is with Chief Joanne Hayes-White. Hayes-White joined the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) in 1990, becoming one of the first female firefighters in San Francisco. After fifteen years, Hayes-White set precedent as the first female Chief of the SFFD, a position she held for fifteen years. In 2019, Hayes-White retired as one of the longest-serving fire chiefs in the United States, according to Guardians of the City.
What was the moment that inspired you to pursue your chosen career path?
Growing up in San Francisco, I lived very close to a fire station. I was always intrigued when the fire engines and trucks whizzed by, red lights and sirens, on their way to assist someone in need.
What was a time in your career that was especially challenging for you as a woman?
At that time in the 1970’s and early 1980’s, there were no female firefighters. When I heard that women were being hired into the SFFD in the late 1980’s, I knew it was a career path that I wanted to pursue. When I entered the SFFD in 1990, it was a time of great change. There were very few women in the Department at that time. There were also no separate bathrooms or changing rooms for women, which made things very challenging. I definitely felt like a fish in a fishbowl…constantly being observed and evaluated. It taught me a lot about perseverance.
What do you see happening in the world that you are very excited about?
At this time in my life, I am personally very excited to be retired after a rewarding 30-year career in the SFFD and my three years of work in the federal government, serving/supporting Senator Dianne Feinstein and Senator Laphonza Butler. I am a new grandma to baby Norah (my oldest son Riley and his wife Campbell are the proud parents) and am looking forward to the weddings of my other two sons next year. I am always very excited to see advancements in the medical world and, on a less serious note, love to see the huge gains in women’s sports.
What do you see in the world that you would like to see change?
Although technology has led to many advancements in our lives, I feel it has also had some adverse impacts as well. Social media and “instant gratification” versus personal interaction and doing the work/research has led to a less personal, more rushed society. I am a believer in limiting social media access for those under thirteen and in most school settings through high school.
When you speak with young women about leadership, what advice or lessons do you most hope they take away?
When I speak with young women about leadership, I encourage them to take themselves out of their comfort zone and to explore every opportunity that comes their way. Embrace these opportunities with confidence and an open mind. Commit to learning something every day!
