31 Benning Place

31 Benning Place tells Karen’s true-life journey from South Central Los Angeles to becoming one of the first African American female firefighters/paramedics with the Los Angeles Fire Department.

After losing her nursing job, Karen needed a new way to support her two sons. Firefighting wasn’t her lifelong dream, but it became a chance to build a better future. She faced a demanding application and training process, sexism, and racism, determined to succeed.

Through poverty, single motherhood, and the devastating murder of her sister and best friend, Pamela, Karen persevered and went on to be named Firefighter of the Year. Her story is one of family, loss, courage, and resilience.

Paperback includes the free EPUB ebook. EPUB also available separately.