Our Women In Power Employee Resource Group (ERG) joined forces with the Women of Peoples Gas ERG to host an empowering International Women’s Day celebration at TECO Hall. The event recognized the role women play in educating and inspiring generations.
A sea of team members, united in purple, cheered as Jill Reis, Senior Project Procurement Lead at Peoples Gas, kicked off the celebration by emotionally quoting Rihanna. "There's something so special about a woman who dominates in a man's world,” she quoted as she introduced City of Tampa Fire Chief Barbara Tripp – one of the few women of color in fire leadership.
With 27 years of experience in the fire service and a background in nursing and the military, Chief Tripp’s story is one of perseverance, resilience and breaking through barriers. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder of what is possible when we embrace challenges and stay focused on our goals.
Attendees were inspired by the powerful message delivered by City of Tampa Fire Chief Barbara Tripp
Chief Tripp, a Tampa native, shared her career journey – emphasizing the importance of representation and the need to inspire future generations of women to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields. She spoke about overcoming adversity, including bias based on both gender and race, and how faith and resilience guided her through those challenges.
"Going through fire school, we had to go through a maze blindfolded,” said Tripp, comparing that obstacle course to her own life’s challenges such as dropping out of college and having a kid at the age of 20. “I’m not embarrassed. I hit a couple of walls, but I didn’t quit. It’s up to you to find your way out.”
Chief Tripp’s message was clear: to empower future generations, we must continue to move forward together. She highlighted how her leadership style, which focuses on collaboration and inclusivity, has helped her navigate the complexities of her career and create a positive environment for all. Her story is one of building communities, breaking barriers and inspiring passion and leadership in others.
Team members donned their purple during the International Women’s Day celebration at TECO Hall. In addition to Chief Tripp, Bree Wallace (right) informed attendees about her organization, Tampa Period Pantry.
Thank you to all our team members who joined the International Women’s Day event, and a special thanks to Chief Barbara Tripp for sharing her inspiring story. Together, we can continue to break barriers, uplift each other and inspire future generations.
