Tasman Rural Fire Force’s sole female firefighter has been illuminated with a national honour for her talismanic leadership.
Outgoing Motueka High School student Tori Wilson was bestowed with the GirlBoss Activator Award on 24 September.
The gongs are awarded to young Kiwi women aged between 11 and 18 who defy stereotypes, create positive change in their communities, and blaze new trails.
The Activator category recognises those who close the gender gap, overcoming judgement, shyness and dismay to uplift and champion other women.
Tori, 18, “didn’t know how to react” amid the adulation, particularly after 583 had applied for a GirlBoss accolade and only two per cent could make the cut.
“I feel a deep sense of pride and fulfilment, it’s not about being the only female firefighter that drives me, but the knowledge that I’m making a difference in my community,” she says.
“Being able to help people in times of need, whether it’s fighting fires or assisting in emergencies, is what truly gives me a sense of purpose and pride.
“It’s a privilege to serve alongside my teammates, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of this important work.”
Tori arrived on the firefighting scene when she turned 16, the fifth in her family to do so.
Her grandfather Monty Gibbins served two decades with the Motueka Volunteer Fire Brigade, her father Mark is the current Tasman brigade chief.
Tori’s mother Hayley, the one who nominated her for the award, is Tasman brigade’s secretary providing operational support, and her older brother Kyle is one of its crew leaders. Mark received a different honour last week when he has bestowed with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award by Motueka Rotary which recognises individuals for substantial contribution to the service.
Tori, following in his footsteps, volunteered to fight the week-long Port Hills inferno in Christchurch back in February and ensures that everyone from toddlers to the elderly are emergency-primed.
She says supporting eager female cadets was her hottest topic.
“I want to climb the ladder of leadership and keep being an advocate for female firefighters. I want to inspire and support females in the firefighter role to be the best that they can be,” she says. “We are very fortunate to now have two young female cadets as part of our brigade who are keen to join when they’re 16.”
Girlboss is a network of more than 17,000 ‘changemakehers’ whose mission is to close the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, maths, leadership and entrepreneurship.
Visit girlboss.nz for more information
