As reported last week in What's New, Desiree Goodwin, a librarian at Harvard University, sued the university for job discrimination. She claimed that despite two master's degrees and 16 years experience she was denied seven promotions since 1999 because she was too pretty and dressed too sexy, as well as because she is black woman. The verdict from a federal jury is in: Goodwin lost.

Although Goodwin was seeking damages for emotional distress and lost wages and won nothing in the end, she told The Associated Press, "One of my friends said to me, no matter how it turns out, standing up for yourself is a victory in itself." Before the trial she complained that in 2001 a supervisor told her she would never be promoted since she was viewed as "a joke" who "was seen merely as a pretty girl who wore sexy outfits, low cut blouses, and tight pants." She said she felt there was nothing she could do to impress her managers so she could advance.

Harvard said it was pleased with the trial's outcome. "Employment at Harvard is based on the specific work skills and work history applicants bring to specific jobs," a spokesman told AP. "We have always believed that to be the case and today the jury has agreed." Each new position for which Goodwin applied at Harvard was also sought by dozens of other qualified applicants nationwide.

AP reports that Goodwin's claims were dismissed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. Goodwin says she will continue to work at Harvard for now, although she did disclose she is looking for other employment.

Imagine being told by a "supervisor" that you are vied as a joke and just another pretty face who dresses is sexy clothes. This Dweeb would have some major 'splaining to do out in the parking lot after hours.These kind of people are what is WRONG with this country, certainly not what is right with it.

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Sex is one of nine reasons for reincarnation.The other eight are unimportant...Henry Miller

It is impossible for me to imagine swimming upstream against so much hot water.

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Calm, quiet, smooth, devastating

Now that Ms. Goodwin's claims have been dismissed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, and in a Federal Court, perhaps all the parties can get on with their lives.

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Eudaimonia

Tell me....... How can you be up for "7" promotions in ONE YEAR?????????????
I think we all know where this one is heading. Geeze!

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I am here for only a short time on this earth. My goal is to make everyone I see smile if only for a moment.

I think the "7" promotions probably is referring to jobs that came available that were at a higher level then the one she was at during that period of time ... and that's totally possible in a large "company". And it says 7 promotions since 1999 .... and was told in 2001 that she wasn't given the job because ... so I suspect the period of time was a bit longer than 1 year for her.

I don't know whether her claim of not being promoted because of that was legit or not, but I used to work with a woman who absolutely found herself in this situation, nice, friendly, could have done the job easily, but was very attractive and always dressed a bit too sexy for the business, but then her body was such that even in a classically tailored business suit, she still was going to look sexy ... Of course that was back in the 80's and the times weren't quite as PC as they are today ....