Women’s History Month: Law enforcement females vow to protect the public
CBS 13's April Hettinger honors those women who sacrifice for the public's safety
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - March is Women's History Month and there are plenty of women in our community that we can be thankful for, especially law enforcement.
Agent Yajayra Hollis of Yuma Sector is one of 5% of females in U.S. Border Patrol. She is passionate about her job because it involves helping others.
"Whether it's rendering aid, rescuing someone out of the desert. I've personally provided my lunch, my water to people that have been out in the desert for days, weeks even, that are severely dehydrated," Agent Hollis said.
WEB EXCLUSIVE: Full interview with Agent Yajayra Hollis
Those are just some of the everyday sacrifices these women make.
"Not everybody can do this job," Agent Hollis said. "It takes a tough person to do it, and speaking for the Border Patrol specifically, only 5% of us are women."
Border Patrol calls them the Fearless Five to represent the 5% of female agents out of 20,000.
Sgt. Lori Franklin has been with the Yuma Police Department for 18 years.
"I enjoy being in a profession where I can help my community, my country, you know, people," Sgt. Franklin stated.
Detective Jaymi Driskill who works in the child and family crimes unit at YPD is the only female in investigations and says women might have a one-up on the tenderness side.
"We have that maybe nurturing or compassionate side about us, so when we go on a call, we all bring something different and there's some things that maybe a female just does a little bit better, like if it's a call involving a child or having that motherly or softer side," Detective Driskill explained.
Agent Hollis says having a mix can create harmony in the job.
"Both men and women, we communicate, we work and we lead different, so in that sense, I think it creates a great balance," Agent Hollis said.
A message to young girls who inspire to be like these women, "Stay focused. Stay determined," Agent Hollis said. "Don't let anyone tell you you can't do something based on your size, sex, your age."
