VERMONT : A LOVE STORY
Norma Hardy joined the New York City Port Authority police force and stayed there for almost 27 years . She also ran the security detail for the 2008 Pope ’ s visit to New York . Clearly , she is a woman of spine and intelligence .
She became the first black female inspector , the highest rank that any woman had gone in the Port Authority at that time . In 2013 , she became the first woman chief appointed by the police department .
So , given such lofty achievements , I asked her , what do you like about being in Vermont ?
“ I like that people here want to help others so much . I like that ‘ Vermont thing ’ of wanting to reach across the table and say , ‘ Hey , let me help you out ’.”
“ I think many of us become police or firefighters out of a strong wish to help others .”
What do you think you have given to Vermont so far ?
The Chief answered , “ I bring a different perspective . And , I ’ m rather blunt . I pride myself in being able to be straightforward , I think that we can disagree with each other and not be disrespectful .”
And , importantly , “ I bring understanding . I was raised by a single parent . I ’ ve been homeless . You know , struggling . And I ’ ve survived being in a building when a bomb went off .”
“ I ’ ve been through a lot of the challenges that people in the community have to go through , which I think gives me a whole different perspective on things .”
18 VERMONT MAGAZINE