Woman Alleges She Faced Discrimination at RI Nonprofit For Being White - Files Civil Rights Suit
Wednesday, February 08, 2023
An employee of a nonprofit in Rhode Island has filed a lawsuit in federal court, alleging she faced discrimination and was fired — on account of being white.
On Monday, Kaitlin Moran, who had worked at “The Equity Institute,” filed suit in U.S. District Court against her now-former employer alleging unlawful discrimination and violation of the Rhode Island Civil Rights Act.
Moran is seeking backpay and compensatory damages for pain and suffering, including “loss of enjoyment of life.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAccording to the lawsuit, Moran had filed a charge of race discrimination with the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission and the Rhode Island Human Rights Commission in July 2022; she was issued a notice of right to sue by both bodies in November of 2022.
Allegations Civil Rights Violations
Moran alleges she was told by Chief Executive Officer Karla Vigil that she was denied an expected raise because “identity is an important part of money decisions and compensation” — and was told during a meeting that Moran was “using a low-inference observation due to her very white lens.”
According to its website, the mission of Equity Institute is it “develops and implements innovative solutions for building more diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning and professional environments.”
A bio on Medium.com says that Moran joined Equity Institute in March 2021.
“Prior to her role with Equity Institute, she was a school administrator and classroom teacher. Boston Public Schools highlighted her classroom as an exemplary model classroom characterized by collaborative activities, critical inquiry, and authentic opportunities for students to apply learning to their lived experiences. In addition to teaching, Kaitlin completed graduate-level research on how writing can be used to increase agency in immigrant students,” states the bio.
Material Findings
Moran — who is being represented by attorney Edward Formisano — in the suit alleges that “during all relevant time periods” her work performance was “satisfactory and Met Defendant Equity’s legitimate expectations.”
In April 2021, Moran said that Vigil offered one-on-one coaching sessions to employees — except Moran. Moran says at that time, she was the only white employee at the nonprofit.
After saying she was denied her expected raise, Moran goes on to allege in the suit the following.
Moran said she began to experience “increased stress and anxiety” at work, and sought treatment from a therapist.
It was in March 2022 that Moran said faced the following encounter.
According to the lawsuit, she was informed later that day that “due to unresolved conflict with her direct supervisor, she was being terminated.”
“The harassment, discriminatory terms and conditions of employment and retaliation the Plaintiff experienced was due to her race and deprived the Plaintiff of the right to work in a reasonable, non-discriminatory work environment and adversely affected the Plaintiff’s ability to perform her job,” according to the lawsuit.
The Equity Institute and Moran's attorney refused to respond to questions.