15 women graduating from FDNY today -- the most since 1982

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The FDNY is celebrating a milestone today: 15 women are graduating today, the highest number since 1982.

“It’s a historic moment for our department,” FDNY Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro told the Daily News. “The graduates will bring us to 87 women — the highest total we’ve ever had in the department.”

In 1982, 41 women were admitted to the academy following a discrimination lawsuit. 

Three of the fifteen women graduating today -- during a ceremony at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York in Jamaica, Queens -- have relative in the FDNY.

“My father was a Battalion Chief, he worked in this Department for 30 years," FDNY Probationary Firefighter Laura Savastano said in a post on the FDNY's Facebook page. "He was a great man and he unfortunately passed away when I was 16. I know this is the best job in the world for me. I hope I am making him proud and making him happy. I’m looking forward to getting out there and helping people.

"For all the girls that think they want to be a Firefighter, I would tell them that if they put their mind to it, they can do anything. It is ok to struggle, just don’t quit,” said FDNY Probationary Firefighter Diandra Gordon.

The women underwent the usual 18-week academy training.