The Power of Her: The Female Heroes of 9/11

By Niya Bobban

On September 11, 2001, almost 3000 citizens died from the selfish attacks of Al-Qaeda. Americans were bonded by grief, heartbreak, and the feeling of loss, and the weight of the tragedy hung heavy in every corner of the country as families mourned loved ones who never came home. The city of New York was forever altered, and so were the lives of those left behind. We now remember this day as to honor those who were lost, and respect the sacrifices that were made to save lives.

Over 3000 people were killed, and 400 women were killed as a result of this tragedy. While many were trying to escape the destroyed tower, many were also dedicated to abandoning their own lives in order to help others live. The story of these two women have proven the courage and simple selfnessess that emerged in the unimanginable tragedy, and passed away in honor for the 9/11 tragedy. 

CAPTAIN KATHY N. MAZZA

Kathy Mazza was the commanding officer of the Port Authority Police Academy, which was the nation’s 26th largest law enforcement agency. She had experience in both medical and police skills, as she had both a nursing degree and public security, and her hardworking skills had proved her high-standing position in the program. She also had established a defibrillator program, which helps reduce the response time for cardiac arrests. Because of her intelligence and leadership qualities, Captain Mazza was known to be the first ever woman commander of the Port Authority Police Department.

She was also tragically known as the first female Port Authority who unfortunately passed away during duty in the ongoing events of 9/11. She was sadly one of the 400 officers that were killed; No police department in U.S. history lost more officers in a single incident as the PAPD on September 11. 

She helped many survivors evacuate the North Tower by shooting the glass and creating more escape routes. She was last seen carrying a disabled victim with a wheelchair down the stairs as the towers caved in. Her body was found five months after the attack. She was awarded the Glamour Woman of the Year Award in 2007, and is seen as a female hero in the 9/11 devastation.

YAMEL JOSEFINA MERINO

Yamel Merino was one of the many first responders at Metrocare Ambulance, and her presence and sacrifice during the 9/11 attacks should be remembered for genuinely completing her duty as an emergency service officer. She was named Metrocare’s EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) of the year during 1998 and only rose in ranks when entering the 9-1-1 division.

She was the only woman who stood up to help the victims/evacuees and continued to offer help even after the South Tower had fully collapsed. She had passed away at the young age of 24 and is now remembered as one of the most significant sacrifices during 9/11.

These women—Kathy N. Mazza and Yamel Josefina Merino—each represented heroism in their stories. In their final moments, they made risky decisions that saved lives—women in the face of unimaginable horror. While their stories are rooted in tragedy, their legacy runs on as the female heroes of “Ground Zero”.