A Sense of Security

As a security guard for one of the busiest and most populated areas in New York, Matilda Radinson says her job can be both scary and exciting. She’s worked for the past ten years as a security guard at the World Trade Center.

She loves interacting with the large, diverse group of people she sees throughout the day, but the job does have its challenges – such as when she has had to call for backup security at her post.

“Every job has their good and bad moments,” she said. “Working there, I’ve been able to meet people from all over the world. The best part is lending an ear, lending a shoulder, lending a hand.”

Since Radinson was a teenager, she has been lending a hand to her family. At 17 years old, she moved to Puerto Rico with her mom. During her time there, she studied accounting for two years, but dropped out when her little sister was born so she could help her mother at home. Soon, Radinson had a daughter of her own.

After some time, Radinson decided to pursue pharmacy school. While going to school, she also worked as a security guard for the tolls. Sometimes she would take her younger sister and daughter with her to class because her mother was working and had no one to watch over them. She eventually left school to continue supporting her family.

They moved back to New York when her mother was diagnosed with brain cancer. She soon returned to the world of security, and went to work for Yankee Stadium.

“I loved it. I met some big stars from Puerto Rico. Employees become family,” she said. “When my mom passed, they were all there to be supportive.”

“That’s why I love being a security guard. Even though you have your family at home, you also have another family outside. That’s what makes you want to get up in the morning. Even though I get up at 4 a.m., I still show up with a smile on my face.”