What does it take to break barriers, defy expectations, and light a path for others?

Meet Judy — an 80-year-old trailblazer who became the very first female firefighter in Dayton, Ohio. In this episode, I sit down with Judy to uncover the story behind the uniform: the fires she battled both inside burning buildings and the resilience that carried her through it all.

This conversation goes beyond history. It’s about courage, humanity, and what it means to stand tall when the odds are stacked against you.

Tune in and hear how one woman, with nothing more than determination and a fire in her heart, changed the course of history in her city — and why her story still matters today.

Meet Norma, better known as “Gimmer.”

She’s about to turn 100 years old, and she’s not slowing down on sharing her stories anytime soon. From the dusty days of childhood in the 1920s, to raising a family through world-changing decades, to the wisdom (and wit) only a century of living can bring—Norma’s life is a front-row ticket to history told through the eyes of a woman who lived it.

But don’t expect just nostalgia—Norma has a sharp sense of humor, a knack for telling it like it is, and a perspective that’s both heartwarming and hilariously real. This podcast isn’t just about the past; it’s about what we can all learn today from a woman who has seen nearly everything, and still finds joy in the small stuff.

Whether you want to laugh, reflect, or be inspired, listening to “Gimmer” is like sitting at the kitchen table with your favorite grandmother—if your grandmother had 100 years of stories and the timing of a natural comedian!

Time to step into The Memory Parlor...

Instrumental Music: "MakeSoundMusic"

Dixieland Jazz Track: "At Sundown" by Muggsy Spanier and His Ragtime Band ~1939

The Memory Parlor: Pull up a chair with inspiring 80+ year-olds and hear the funny, touching, and unforgettable stories that shaped their lives—reminding us all that every life has a story worth telling...

Music by: DELOSound