Describe a brave person you know

The brave person I'd like to talk about is my cousin Nilufar, who is twenty-five and works as a firefighter. This is quite unusual in our country, because few women choose such a physically demanding job. I've known her all my life, as our families live in the same neighbourhood.

She showed real courage on several occasions, but one example stands out. About a year ago, there was a fire in an apartment building in her district. When her team arrived, they learned that an elderly woman was still trapped on the fourth floor. The staircase was already full of smoke, and everyone knew it was dangerous. Nilufar went in with a colleague, carrying breathing equipment, and managed to bring the woman out safely. She was awarded a certificate from the city for her actions.

But to me, her bravery began long before that. She had to face opposition from her family when she announced her plans, since several relatives thought the job was unsuitable for a woman. She worked incredibly hard on her fitness, passed tough tests, and proved that she was capable.

I feel a great deal of respect and admiration for her. I think many people confuse bravery with not being afraid, but she told me that she is often scared. The difference is that she acts anyway, because other people depend on her.

She's inspired me to take on challenges I would normally avoid, such as speaking in public. Compared to what she does, that seems quite small.