Brenda Cowan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brenda Cowan
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|---|---|
| Born |
Brenda Denise Cowan
May 9, 1963 |
| Died | February 13, 2004 (aged 40) |
| Cause of death | Shot |
| Resting place | New Salem Baptist Cemetery Union County, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Kentucky |
| Occupation | Emergency medical technician (EMT) and firefighter |
Brenda Denise Cowan (May 9, 1963 – February 13, 2004) was Lexington, Kentucky's first black female firefighter. According to Women in the Fire Service, Lieutenant Cowan is the first black female career firefighter ever to die in the line of duty. She had served with the Lexington Fire Department for twelve years. Cowan was the sister of Fred Cowan, a member of University of Kentucky's 1978 national championship basketball team.
Early life
Cowan was born in Sturgis, Kentucky, the daughter of Ella Irene Dawson and the Reverend Tabb Frank Scott Cowan, Sr., the minister at the city's New Salem Baptist Church. She had five siblings, Rev. Glenn Cowan, Linwood Cowan, Fred Cowan, Helen Cowan and Myrtle L. Cowan. She attended Union County High School where she played for the Bravettes basketball team. Cowan was named Most Valuable Player of the girls' basketball team in 1979 and 1981.
Cowan was single and had no children.
Legislative action
In March 2005, the Brenda D. Cowan Act, Senate Bill 217, unanimously passed the Kentucky Senate. The bill would amend KRS 508.025, relating to assault in the third degree, to provide that a person is guilty of assault in the third degree when he causes or attempts to cause physical injury to emergency medical services personnel, organized fire department members, and rescue squad personnel.
