Jezebel: Firsts

New York Has Its First Transgender Firefighter

Cassie Murdoch — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 18:05:00 EDT

The New York City Fire Department finally has it's first openly trangendered firefighter. The woman in question, who now goes by the name Brooke, has for the most part found acceptance from her coworkers. The department is not known for its diversity, but it probably helps that Brooke has deep roots with the FDNY: More »

Supremely Happy

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 16:05:00 EST

Columbus, OH, Jan 8: Supreme Court Justice Yvette McGee Brown speaks during her swearing-in ceremony. McGee Brown is the first African-American woman justice on the Ohio Supreme Court. (Image via AP)

Should We Mourn The Death Of The Very First Date?

Anna North — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:57:00 EST

Any first date can be stressful — or downright horrifying. But what about the very first date of your life? Is this rite of passage about to go extinct? More »

Oakland Elects First Asian-American Female Mayor Of A Major US City

Anna North — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 09:35:00 EST

Election officials say Jean Quan will become Oakland's first female mayor, and the first Asian-American woman to be mayor of a major U.S. city. The format of her election was a first as well. More »

Bullfighting Ban Approved In Catalonia

Katy Kelleher — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:40:00 EDT

Lawmakers in Catalonia voted yesterday to approve a ban on bullfighting, thus becoming the first region in Spain to do so. Conservatives call the ban an "attack on tradition," but the activists won out with their arguments against institutionalized cruelty. More »

Meet The Adventure Teen, Object Of Ongoing Fascination

Katy Kelleher — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:45:00 EDT

Teen sailor Laura Dekker's mother has given her the go-ahead for a round-the-world trip. But the state still says no — so why is this news? I think it has something to do with the allure of the Adventure Teen. More »

John Mark Karr: Single Again • First Afghan Policewomen Join Force

Maria — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:30:00 EDT

Hey ladies! Self-professed (but not actual) Jon Benet murderer, famewhore extraordinaire, and total creep John Mark Karr is single again. • Eva Mendes' role in The Women continues the prevalent stereotype of Latina women as being not only hypersexualized but "superaggressive spitfires" who are overly passionate and emotional, as well as violent. • Perhaps the Times was inspired by our own Tracie Egan when editors made a man walk in heels. (The consensus? Heels hurt!)• Twenty-two Afghan women joined the ranks of the Afghan National Police after completing five months of training, making them the first policewomen in Afghan history. • More »