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Stefany, a mother of two, came on the job motivated to succeed for her chil- dren, to lead as an example, like her own mother did for her.
“I wanted to do better for my two young daughters,” Stefany revealed, “by making a career choice for them, being able to provide a stable home and giving them the benefits the job offers, as well. And letting them see that it’s a great hon- or to do what we do.”
As female officers, Ziola, Trysha and Stefany have experienced being looked down upon as not being strong enough to measure up and being told they won’t be able to handle difficult situations. And they have received backlash because of their strong personalities.
But Stefany and Trysha learned from their mother how to handle that.
“One thing my mom told me that reso- nates with me is, ‘Honey, they don’t hate you. They hate the uniform. They hate what you stand for,’” Trysha remarked. “I get called a white bitch almost every day. So, I take [what my mom said] with me every day.”
But they have also encountered of- fenders speaking more kindly to them
Real Women Wear Badges because they are women, which Trysha
views as an advantage.
“I think overall it has an advantage, be-
cause people talk to us nicer, they treat us better,” Trysha admitted. “I even had a guy that I stopped once who told me, ‘I didn’t take off on you because you’re a woman. You probably have to go home to your kids.’”
Working with her mother for the last six years in the 11th District, Stefany has seen firsthand how so many people look up to Ziola. That experience is some- thing she will always look fondly upon.
“It’s just a noble thing to me,” Stefany added. “It’s a great honor to even work beside her, to work with her. And it’s nice to have followed in both her and my fa- ther’s footsteps in law enforcement. Giv- ing to others, having to help others. You can touch one person, or you can touch many.”
Being a part of a mother-daughter trio also fills Trysha with a deep sense of pride. She remarked that they are a long way from the days when women were told only to become a wife and take care of the house and family. She is grateful to have parents who encouraged her to ac-
complish her goals.
“I look at my mom, who is such an
inspiration,” Trysha added. “Both my parents always encouraged us to be in- dependent, to be strong, to go out there and go after what you want.”
As a mother who paved a path for her daughters to follow, Ziola beams with pride that her daughters chose to work alongside her in the CPD.
“It makes me really proud,” Ziola de- clared. “It makes me feel like I’ve done something to guide them to where they are now.”
Through all the changes over the years, working together has been a unique ex- perience for the Solis women. And they are continuing to leave behind a lega- cy for future generations, like Stefany’s daughters, to follow.
At her academy graduation, Stefany felt the legacy begin to move to the next generation. As she was walking across the stage to receive her star, she heard a shout.
“That’s my mom,” reverberated from the audience. It was Stefany’s younger daughter. Perhaps the next Solis to be- come a Chicago Police Officer.
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