10. Shelly Carter

In March of 2023, history was made right here in Connecticut as Shelly Carter became New England’s first black female fire chief when she was named chief of the Hartford Fire Department. Carter had an extensive career of more than 20 years in the Fire Department before her being sworn in as chief, showing the hard work that led up to this accolade. In this field largely dominated by men, Carter is undeniably a trailblazer bulldozing a path for other black and female professionals to follow.