An African-American woman is suing her former employer, alleging racial discrimination and violation of her civil rights after she was replaced when the department underwent reorganization.
Donna Marie Moody filed a lawsuit on June 29 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Southwestern Illinois College, alleging discriminatory treatment during her period of employment from 1989 until her June 2014 discharge.
Moody, an African-American female, claims she was employed as a multicultural-related department director from 1994 until her dismissal. The suit states that she initiated and led mentoring and retention programs for students and led diversity-related training workshops.
According to the complaint, Moody was informed that her department would undergo reorganization in August 2013 but she would still have a position. However, she claims she was fired and replaced by a Caucasian worker after expressing concerns about the transition.
The suit states that the plaintiff’s employer engaged in retaliatory conduct by placing her on administrative leave on Nov. 15, 2013, issuing a reprimand in December 2013, micromanaging her performance, demoting her and ultimately discharging Moody on June 30, 2014.
Contending that no Caucasian employees lost their jobs in the reorganization, the plaintiff maintains that she was fired based on her race.
Alleging lost wages and benefits, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and mental anguish, Moody seeks declarative and injunctive relief, reinstatement or front pay, judgment in her favor for compensatory damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs.
She is represented by The Law Office of Sarah Swatosh in St. Louis.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-374