BOSTON - Harvard University did not discriminate against a libraryassistant who claimed she was repeatedly turned down for promotionsbecause school officials saw her as "a pretty girl" whose attire wastoo "sexy," a federal jury has found.
Desiree Goodwin, who is black, also claimed that Harvard passedher over because of her race and gender. She had been seeking damagesfor emotional distress and lost wages.
"One of my friends said to me, no matter how it turns out,standing up for yourself is a victory in itself," Goodwin said Mondayafter the verdict.
Harvard spokesman Joe Wrinn said the university was pleased withthe ruling.
"Employment at Harvard is based on the specific work skills andwork history applicants bring to specific jobs," he said. "We havealways believed that to be the case and today the jury has agreed."
Goodwin, who has worked as a library assistant at Harvard since1994, claimed in the lawsuit that she had been rejected for sevenpromotions at the library since 1999.
She said she was shocked when, in late 2001, her supervisor toldher she would never be promoted at Harvard.
In court documents, Goodwin said her supervisor told her she was"a joke" at the university's main library, where she "was seen merelyas a pretty girl who wore sexy outfits, low cut blouses, and tightpants."
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