Firefighter Allegedly Told She Was ‘Token Female’

Liberty Township trustees on Monday planned to discuss a complaint filed by a firefighter who was allegedly told by a township employee that she was the “token” female firefighter.

The firefighter, who 10TV news did not name, filed a complaint with Fire Chief Timothy Jenson that a female township trustee told her that she was “handed her job,” 10TV’s AJ Smith reported.

According to the investigation documents, the conversation took place at a grocery store in March.

Two witnesses, including another firefighter, said that they heard the conversation.

“Trustee (Melanie) Leneghan made a snide comment about the firefighter being a single woman sleeping in the same engine house as ‘all those male firefighters,’” an alleged witness wrote in an e-mail.

In response to the complaint, Leneghan wrote the township administrator and apologized for any misunderstanding.

“I am sorry that she misunderstood my intentions,” Leneghan said. “My intention was to acknowledge how proud I am that we have some diversity in our fire department and that I would like to see more. Please reassure her that I meant no disrespect.”

The female firefighter requested a former letter of apology for the comments as well as a public apology at a township meeting, Smith reported.

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