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.
Affirming
Be born with a penis. That's about your only shot, unless you worked for this guy at his previous employer's.
These issues did not impact my working situation, as I am always professional.
I was not affected at all and continued to do my job as well as I can.
I actually did very well with clients, customers, new/prospective employees, with anyone outside of my work group.
I had no problems with clients or customers but I was certainly aware of the need to represent a demand of respect from prospective employees (and am aware of this need now).
I still tried my best to represent the company well to all clients and prospective employees. But now that I've left, I have no qualms with telling anyone who asks what it was really like.
Irrespective of my opinion of how the firm was run, I never let my true feelings show in public (i.e.
I was groomed to ascend to executive status in a fast track management program for an international financial institution.
I was a lesbian poster child at work. People would call me and ask, "We are having this affirmative action committee, do you want to be on it?" I'd ask, "Who are you and how do you know who I am?" I w
