Black woman files sexual harassment suit against University of Southern California

A Black former employee at University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles recently filed a $5 million lawsuit against the university charging that she was fired after reporting that she and female Navy ROTC cadets were sexually harassed by military personnel on campus.

Glynda Alexander, a former administrative assistant for the Department of Naval Science in the School of Public Administration, charges sexual and racial discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination in the lawsuit.

Prominent civil rights lawyer Melanie E. Lomax, who is representing Alexander in the case, notes, "Glynda Alexander threatened a very cozy relationship that had developed between USC and the military....Her courage cost her her job, and now she's declaring war against USC to win it back."

Alexander says she was told she was laid off for financial reasons. However, Alexander contends that "this was merely an excuse to fire her after she reported repeated instances of sexual harassment of her and over a dozen female cadets by military personnel on campus." Her position was later filled by a White part-time graduate student.

The lawsuit claims that following her reports to USC administration and her immediate supervisor she was told "that military people were different and that she and the female staff members should merely conduct herself in a manner that would not lead to sexual harassment." Alexander also alleges that her supervisor, Associate Dean Margaret Harrington, told her that "boys will be boys."

Alexander also states in the suit that Lt. Col. Cass Howell, who is White and one of her supervisors, asked Alexander such questions as "Is it true what they say about Black women and sex?" and "Why are you so uptight around me? Do I turn you on?"

Alexander also states that female cadets told her that whenever they would go and get their uniforms from Chief Petty Officer Salango, he often touched them, attempted to kiss them and demonstrated a personal sexual interest in them.

Officials at USC could not be reached for comment at press time.