Eleanor Foundation | Partner Perspective: Empowering Women in Alternative Careers at Superior Ambulance

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Partner Perspective: Empowering Women in Alternative Career Paths

Superior Ambulance Partners with Eleanor Network

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May 30, 2010

Kelly A. Begley
Lead Instructor, Superior Ambulance

When I started my career, women were not commonly employed as emergency medical technicians (EMTs), firefighters or paramedics. Thankfully, that has changed.

Last spring the Kinzie Industrial Development Corporation, the Eleanor Foundation, and Superior Ambulance Service, Inc. came together to offer under-employed working women the education they needed for a job and to lay the foundation for a career.

Christopher George, the lead instructor at Superior, asked me to teach an EMT course fully accredited by the Illinois Department of Transportation and funded by a grant from the Eleanor Foundation. The program was designed to give women professional credentials and opportunities for career growth. It was geared specifically towards finding jobs for women in Emergency Medical Services, and to give participants the opportunity for employment at completion.

It has been a distinct pleasure to be part of such an incredible collaboration. Last year, 29 women graduated from this program—a large percentage of whom are now employed by Superior Ambulance, with others seeking work with hospitals or firehouses throughout Chicago.

People will always get sick; they will always need a helping hand. And women bring a valuable dynamic to EMS work, offering compassion, diplomacy, and the ability to listen. Deb Ramage, Director of Human Resources for Superior states, "Women are just as capable of EMS work as men. We don't look at female applicants any differently than we do a male applicant. What we look for in employees is compassion and excellent customer care."

"Last year, 29 women graduated from this program—a large percentage of whom are now employed by Superior Ambulance, with others seeking work with hospitals or firehouses throughout Chicago."

Today at Superior Ambulance approximately 30% of the EMTs and approximately 33% of the paramedics are women—a statistic we can all be proud of.

The collaboration between the Kinzie Industrial Development Corporation, the Eleanor Foundation, and Superior Ambulance Service has given under-employed women, some of whom are single mothers, an opportunity to invest in their own education and to develop a viable career path without any financial burden.

Equally important, the program demonstrates how a company like Superior can benefit from working with nonprofit partners to create employment opportunities, screen candidates, offer support like career counseling, credit training, and childcare, all while achieving the goals of all participants—including the women themselves.

As one student remarked, this program was a "new lease on life." And the success of this class will breed further success, giving more women the opportunity to benefit in future.