Below is the federal court complaint filed by Rita Walsh against the New York City Housing Authority on September 12, 2011 containing her allegations that she was not hired by the NYCHA as its first female bricklayer because of her gender.
Her complaint – which seeks relief under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the New York State Human Rights Law, and the New York City Human Rights Law – is based on allegations that she was passed over in favor of similarly (and less) qualified men and told that she was not hired because NYCHA “wanted someone strong” (without being given the opportunity to demonstrate her strength).