Section B·Page 12
The University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, February 7, 2001
Gender roles don't limit careers for women
Local firefighter, lube technician prove it's not a man's world
Sarah Burns, Lawrence resident, inspects a filter. Sarah works as a lube technician at Jiffy Lube, 914 W. 23rd St. Photo by J. E. Wilson/KANSAN
Yeah, sometimes I wish I worked around girls a little more, but I probably wouldn't be doing a job I liked.
Kansan correspondent
By Louise Stauffer
Kansan corresponden
Lt. Kathy Elkins of Fire Station No. 1, Eighth and Kentucky streets, is one of the few female firefighters in the Lawrence district — and she loves her job.
"I believe I have the best job in the world," Elkins said.
She said being one of the few females working in the department hadn't caused conflict.
"In some fire departments there have been problems," Elkins said. "But not here. The guys here are very professional and courteous."
Sara Burns
Jiffy Lube technician
Elkins has many responsibilities as a lieutenant. "I am in charge of a truck and am responsible for all passengers on the truck," she said. "I also personally make decisions as far as what we do."
Elkins had doubts about becoming a firefighter in the very beginning, but her family was very supportive.
She decided to become a firefighter in 1985, after encouragement from her best friend, who was hired in Topeka.
According to many people in society, there are still jobs that are thought of as "male positions" and "female positions." Jobs that involve physical fitness testing, heavy manual labor, or involve "guy stuff" such as mechanics usually fall under the "male position" category. However, there are many women that are breaking that
stereotype daily
"Yeah, sometimes I wish I worked around girls a little more, but I probably wouldn't be doing a job I liked," Sara Burns, lube technician at Jiffy Lube on 914 W. 23rd St., said.
"I basically do everything that's in the shop," Burns said. "I change oil, check fluids, do radiator and transmission flushes."
Burns didn't think about being one of the only women to work at Jiffy Lube when she started there.
"I just moved here and needed a job," she said. "The guys here
She said with a smile that it was important to have a thick skin working with so many men. Do people act surprised when she tells them her profession?
were pretty cool when I started here."
"Yeah, some people are surprised, but most people say it's pretty cool," Burns said. "The other night I was out with my boyfriend, and this guy was trying to talk to him about cars, and I was listening and realized that I knew more about cars than he did. People don't expect that."
— Edited by Courtney Craigmile
Sarah Burns, Lawrence resident, works as a lube technician at Jiffy Lube, 914 W. 23rd St. She says some people are suprised at her profession. Photo by J. E. Wilson/KANSAN
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