VIDEO: Jacqueline Pinnix was surprised when her daughter told her she wanted to become a firefighter.
Jalisa Pinnix, 28, had never expressed interest in any careers related to the medical or emergency services fields. But growing up, Jalisa always admired her mother, who worked as an EMT. Jalisa used to brag about her mom's job racing across Washington, D.C. in an ambulance. The elder Pinnix has always enjoyed caring for others, previously working as a nursing assistant and helping family members when they were ill. She was working on the ambulance when Jalisa first became interested in the field.
But Jalisa, to her mother's surprise, decided to pursue an even more intensive position as a firefighter, which required physical tests and extensive training. Not everyone was convinced it was the right move -- people doubted Jalisa's abilities because of her gender.