History was made in Connecticut Wednesday as state leaders and neighbors gathered in Hartford to celebrate Shelly Carter, the first Black female fire chief to serve any fire department in all of New England.
“The goal is not about me. We celebrate me, but this is for every female out there, every female on the line who’s working today," said Carter, who was sworn in as the Southbury Training School Fire Department Fire Chief under the state's Department of Developmental Services. “The role is to protect and serve those individuals that have disabilities on that campus and we are also moving statewide," said Carter.
Carter's major achievement drew several rounds of cheers and applause at the ceremony.
"Chief Carter, it's got a ring to it," said Gov. Ned Lamont.