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ACLU Ensures Gender Equity at High School Prom
ST. LOUIS, May 21, 2004 -- On the heels of litigation by the American
Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri, a 13-year old Doniphan
Middle School student was allowed to attend her 8th Grade Graduation
today in a pantsuit instead of the dress the school principal had tried
to make her wear.
Heather Williams, an 8th Grader in the Doniphan R-I School District in
Ripley County Missouri, was told she must wear a dress to graduation or
forego the ceremony. If not in a dress, she would not be allowed to
walk in the processional, sit with her fellow graduates or have her
name read during the ceremony. The ACLU of Eastern Missouri alleged the
dress code was illegal gender discrimination and violated Heather's
rights to equal protection, due process and free expression.
"The school's policy sent a message that even though Heather met all
the academic qualifications, she wasn't fit to graduate if not wearing
a dress," said Denise Lieberman, ACLU-EM Legal Director. "What a tragic
message to send to girls as they embark on the next stage of their
academic careers."
Heather, a self-professed "tom boy" who doesn't own a dress and hasn't
worn a dress or a skirt since grade school, objected to the dress code
that she felt was unfair to girls and stereotyped them as
super-feminine. She had purchased a nice pantsuit six months ago
especially for her graduation.
The school principal, when asked about the policy, indicated that the
graduation committee, which voted on the dress code, simply believed
that girls looked nicer in dresses. The school's dress code required
all girls to wear dresses while boys could wear khakis to graduation.
As ACLU attorneys were heading to court to seek an emergency
restraining order the day before graduation, the district agreed to
allow Heather to wear her pantsuit.
"I'm very grateful to the ACLU for helping me stand up to this dress code," Heather said later that day.
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