Vote on Desiree Davidson's Story
Were they afraid we were planning a coup d'etat?
I spent my first summer during Columbia Law School at a firm in Philadelphia described as one of the best places in the city for black lawyers. I believed that if there was any place where I would have an equal chance at opportunities, be treated fairly and succeed, this would be it. There were three black female summer associates out of sixty that year but any time all three of us were in an office talking, one of the partners would knock on the door to see how we were doing. It happened too often to be a coincidence that sometimes we would purposely agree to meet in so-and-so's office to test our theory that we were being monitored. Like clock work, ten minutes after we would get together a partner would stop by.
Lesbian
I was stereotyped as a man hating lesbian, while serving as the manager of a corporate chain restaurant.
I was not affected at all and continued to do my job as well as I can.
Corporate should have properly investigated the claim.
Be straight, get married, have children and kiss ass.
The situation I was in was very discouraging. I have worked for the company for over 7 years and now I hate going to work.
As a college graduate from a women's college, I was lucky to always feel like I was more than just my body but when I aced a review faster than my male colleagues, one of them nonchalantly told me that I was "smarter than you look.
Although I had good intentions of joining the company and representing them, my experience caused me considerable bitterness and I found myself wishing prospective clients would do business elsewhere.
I felt like I was in a safe environment where alternative voices were heard.
Keep your mouth shut and look nice.
