Justice for Women Stalked in the Workplace and Retaliation by Their Employers

Washington, D.C. - Martin v. Howard University and Alice Gresham Bullock, U.S. Supreme Court No. 08-204.

In 1997, Howard University Law Professor Dawn Martin was stalked on campus by a delusional serial stalker, Leonard Harrison. Despite instructions to Howard University from the Washington D.C. Police Department to implement and improve its campus security, Howard failed to take action, and instead, punished Professor Martin by refusing to renew her teaching contract. The story you are about to watch is the true story of Dawn Martin's 11-year Journey for Justice for her and all women who are stalked in the workplace. The National Organization for Women and The National Association of Women Lawyers join her cause.

When Prof. Martin was stalked by Leonard Harrison, he was searching for the physical embodiment of his "fantasy" wife -- a fictional female character in a book, written by the renowned civil rights Professor, Derrick Bell. Instead of following its own security procedures to ban Harrison from campus, Howard responded to Prof. Martin's requests for protection by refusing to renew her teaching contract. She sued Howard, under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination and harassment, on the basis of sex/gender. Prof. Martin alleged that Howard permitted the stalker to harass her on the basis of her gender in her workplace. 78% of stalking victims are women. 54% of female murder victims reported their stalkers to the police before being killed by them. Prof. Martin further alleged that Howard retaliated against her by refusing to renew her teaching contract because she asked for protection from Harrison on campus.

The National Organization for Women (NOW) and the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL), joined by additional women's and victims' advocacy groups, filed an Amicus Brief in this case, stressing the need to protect stalking victims from employer retaliation. In this powerful TV documentary, Prof. Martin is joined by such esteemed leaders as Kim Gandy (President of NOW); Prof. Derrick Bell, a renowned civil rights leader and university professor; Roberta Wright, who wrote amicus briefs for NOW and NAWL; and Amos Sirleaf, a former Howard University Security Officer.

The Law Offices of Dawn V. Martin represents plaintiffs in civil rights, employment discrimination and personal injury/tort cases. The firm litigates to enforce the rights of employees who have been discriminated against on the basis of race, sex, national origin, religion, age or disability. Ms. Martin has also been featured on Sky Radio as part of its series on Salute to Women in Leadership, as noted in TIME Magazine.


You can contact Ms. Martin at 202-408-7040,
or http://www.dvmartinlaw.com

"For updates on this case, see www.dvmartinlaw/MartinvHowardU and http://alexisamoore.blogspot.com/."

STALK, NOW and Kim Gandy,Swygert, Andrew Taslitz, Alice Gresham, Isaiah Leggett, "Martin v. Howard University," "Howard University," "Dawn V. Martin," "Dawn Martin," Law School and/or "sexual harassment" "National Organization for Women," "Kim Gandy," "Derrick Bell" and "Alice Gresham Bullock" or just "Alice Gresham"

You can also watch these TV Documentaries at http://www.legalshowtime.com & http://www.insiderexclusive.com

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Patrick Swygert
• Alice Gresham Bullock
• Howard University
• Isaiah Leggett
• Andrew Taslitz
• SEXUAL harassment

[kappalew]

It is not too late for university officials to take appropriate action. I understood from the video the principal actors who failed to take appropriate protective action and the principal actors that took retaliatory action against Ms. Martin are no longer with the university. Now is the time for Howard University to make things right. Admitting past mistakes and taking action to correct past sins is good for the soul even the soul of a prestigious university.

[kappalew]

One would think that a university with a long and proud history of seeking to advance the ideals of justice and fairplay would be the last place where a professor would be treated the way Ms. Martin was treated. It seems clear that Ms. Martin did what would be expected of any person in her situation and equally as clear that the university failed to take appropriate action.

[DVMartinEsq]

On January 13, 2012, the Supreme Court will decide whether not to review this case. The National Organization for Women (NOW) Foundation filed an Amicus Curiae (Friend of the Court) Brief in support of Ms. Martin's Petition for Review. If you would like to lend support in the case, please contact NOW Foundation and Dawn V. Martin, Esquire.

[DVMartinEsq]

On November 16, 2011, the National Organization for Women (NOW) Foundation filed an Amicus Curiae Brief in support of my Petition for Supreme Court review of this case. People and groups who want to join the Amicus Brief or otherwise support the case, contact NOW Foundation President, Terry O'Neill, or me, Dawn V. Martin, at The Law Offices of Dawn V. Martin, in Washington, D.C.

[DVMartinEsq]

On Oct. 13, 2011, I filed a Petition to the Supreme Court to hear this case. I am asking the Court to hold, as a matter of law, that Title VII protects a woman from being stalked in her workplace and from being terminated for reporting it. The National Organization for Women (NOW) is filing an Amicus Curiae Brief in support of my Petition. Additional women’s groups seeking to join the Amicus Brief should contact NOW and/or me at dvmartinlaw@yahoo.com. Dawn V. Martin, Esquire

[NoLifeSketh]

Does no one remember that they have fists?!?!? Girls know guys weak spots... Kick a mofo between the legs... Damnit!

[DVMartinEsq]

I was on "Good Morning America" (ABC, Ch. 7) today, Aug. 5, 2010, interviewed by Erin Andrews, along with other women who had been stalked. The broadcast is on the net. I am urging federal legislation to protect stalking victims and victims of domestic violence against employment discrimination and retaliation. (New York City Human Rights Law include this protection.) This is the lesson of my own experience, stalked at Howard University and losing my job and law teaching career over it.

[pepsi1649]

there are videos on the internet that make fun of sexual harassment at the workplace. I think these videos help spur the idea that sexual harassment is not serious. What can be done about having these videos removed?

[DVMartinEsq]

I was wondering if you ever received help, filed a charge or otherwise resolved things with your employer. Feel free to contact me for more assistance than can be provided on this site.

[TheLibertyG]

YES, OF COURSE - DON'T PUNISH THE VICTIMS! DV Martin is right on in suggesting this change to the criminal statute. It is only simple common sense and decency to protect those harassed by stalkers from losing their jobs because employers don't want to be bothered with the problem. The council should follow in NYC steps on this one.