As a young adult in the 1980s, Barbara worked at a number of odd jobs, but she felt a pull to do something more and became one of the first women in the country to enlist into the Air Force’s firefighter program. In the early days of the program, not everyone believed that women could be effective firefighters, and Barbara felt challenged to prove that she belonged.
“I wanted to do something that would make myself proud.”
She had to train harder than her male counterparts on the more physical aspects of the job, but she soon discovered that there were areas where she could excel. When many of the recruits panicked during a certain training scenario, she was able to keep her cool and successfully find a “survivor” in a controlled building fire and carry them to safety - with her mask blacked out.
Her determination to succeed on her own continued on even after she left the Air Force. Thirty years later she has three beautiful daughters who, Barbara says, have blossomed into strong, independent women. No doubt they are inspired by her trailblazing legacy of persistence and courage.
But sometimes the bravest thing you can do is ask for help.
Returning to her Appleton home one day, she found a flier on her door advertising HFH Fox Cities’ Rock the Block program. “Call if you need help,” it read. Initially Barbara was insulted, thinking one of her neighbors had left the leaflet, assuming that as a single woman, she would need help.
The truth was, though, she did have a need. Her garage had sunk below grade, creating an “ice rink” in the winter, and she had slipped and fallen twice in the last year. When a second flier appeared on her door, she decided to look into it.
Talking to the staff at HFH Fox Cities instantly put her at ease. Barbara appreciated Habitat’s philosophy of a hand up, not a hand out. Habitat staff member Sarah Wylie says Barbara was “such a delight to work with. Her positive outlook in the face of challenges and humility about her successes is inspirational.” The affiliate was able to finance the repairs to her garage so that it would be safe and level. Barbara’s garage was just one of 100 projects that HFH Fox Cities completed in fall 2019.
Barbara remains incredibly thankful for all the help and support Habitat provided to her and her neighbors. “I had no idea I could qualify for such a great program,” Barbara said. “I will be forever grateful for this program and the people that have helped me along the way. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
