Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, is sponsoring an event titled “Wal-Mart Gender Discrimination – The Fight Continues,” featuring four local attorneys, one of whom (Janet Olawsky) is a recent graduate of UST’s Political Science Department and a former member of Pi Sigma Alpha. The event will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, in Owens Science Hall, Room 150 (3M Auditorium). Everyone is invited to attend.
Over 10 years ago, Betty Dukes brought a lawsuit alleging sex discrimination against Wal-Mart, the largest retailer in the world, and the largest private employer in the United States. Realizing she was not alone, Dukes attempted to bring her case as a class action on behalf of 1.6 million other female employees she believed suffered the same unequal treatment. Although the United States Supreme Court did not allow the case to proceed as a class action, that has not stopped women around the country from challenging the unlawful and discriminatory treatment they have suffered as Wal-Mart employees.
The Minneapolis law firm of Nichols Kaster is continuing the fight for the rights of Wal-Mart women. In 2015, they filed lawsuits in Minnesota, Illinois, Georgia and Louisiana federal courts alleging Wal-Mart discriminated against their female clients. Four attorneys from the firm will be on campus to share the stories of these women who have incredible stories about being paid less than their male coworkers and being denied promotions given to less-qualified men.
For questions, contact Dr. Angela High-Pippert.
