Eight Atlanta-Fulton Librarians
Win Millions in Bias Suit
A federal jury awarded eight white female Atlanta–Fulton County Public Library workers almost $25 million January 16 for suffering reverse discrimination almost two years ago. The librarians sued in August 2000 after they were abruptly transferred from management positions at the main library to jobs at various branches. The suit was originally brought by seven white plaintiffs and one African-American librarian who charged she was demoted for protesting the others’ transfers. A federal judge subsequently separated Monica Foderingham-Brown’s complaint and another white female manager joined the original suit, plaintiff Maureen Kelly told American Libraries.
Thirteen of the board’s 17 trustees and library Director Mary Kaye Hooker were named as defendants; the library was not held liable.
“I do not think that any of the defendants are racists, but this decision was based on race,” jury forewoman Phylis Hughes said in the January 17 Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Presented as evidence was former board Chair McClure’s remarking in early 2000 that the main library employed “too many white women” managers. He and trustee Mary Ward left the board under pressure December 20.
The county, which will appeal the decision, may soon have another related case to contest: A 1,600-member county taxpayers’ group indicated it would fight any payout from county coffers on behalf of the individual defendants, according to the January 18 Journal-Constitution.
Posted January 21, 2002.
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