TAMPA, Fla. – The City of Tampa honored a trailblazer on Thursday.
City officials recognized retired fire inspector Betty Coleman, who was the first hired, black female with the Tampa fire department. She joined the department in 1981, started at Station 1 on Zack Street and went on the serve the city for more than 30 years.
During Thursday’s city council meeting, Councilman Luis Viera presented Coleman with a plaque as she was surrounded by her family, current Fire Chief Barbara Tripp and fellow retirees…