Women in the Los Angeles Fire Department are calling out its 'frat house' culture, which includes sexist remarks and even men allegedly flashing them on the locker room.
Katie Becker, who left the LAFD in spring of 2019, had emailed top brass alleging that the department was 'littered with cruel leadership and misogynistic co-workers.'
'Bigoted men … actively tried to make me and most of my co-workers miserable,' Becker wrote, while calling her four years in the LAFD 'the worst of my life.'
Becker also told of her female colleagues being flashed by men in firehouse locker rooms and other women said they'd been told by male coworkers that they didn't want to work with a 'chick.'
Kathryn Becker (pictured, center) was one of five women who graduated from her recruit class of 48 back on April 28, 2016, but she left the LAFD within four years alleging sexist mistreatment
Becker and four other women made up only five LAFD recruits out of 48 to graduate with the class in April 2016
Her damning complaint reached several high-ranking women within the department who demanded a meeting with Mayor Eric Garcetti that summer to discuss what actions could be taken, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Women in the Fire Service has been critical of the mayor's response to sexism and racism allegations - despite his repeated pledges to support minorities.
Rebecca Ninburg, who sits on the Board of Fire Commissioners, demanded the mayor 'step up' for 'our female and minority firefighters' after a survey among female firefighters found reports of widespread sexism at fire stations, with one woman claiming her menstrual cycle had been a topic of debate.
Around half of respondents said they'd been too scared to report the allegations in case they were labelled 'that kind of girl.'
Much of the recent scrutiny over diversity in the department exploded last month
