Sex discrimination complaint filed against ABCCM

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Here’s the press release from by Southern Poverty Law Center:

Emily Bagby simply wanted a chance to learn some job skills that would help her re-enter the civilian workforce.

A U.S. Army veteran, Bagby turned to the Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry in North Carolina for help when she found herself homeless during a period of unemployment. The organization receives money from the federal government to provide job training programs and other classes for veterans.

But Bagby wasn’t allowed to take the courses that actually might help her find a job. She discovered, in fact, that the ministry didn’t allow female veterans to take the same classes offered to men, such as truck driving, culinary arts and training for “green” jobs. Instead, the women were offered training in such things as knitting, art therapy, yoga, meditation, how to de-clutter your room, self-esteem and Bible study.

Today, the Southern Poverty Law Center filed a sex discrimination complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor on behalf of Bagby and other female veterans.

“I am asking that female veterans have the same opportunities to better themselves as the men,” Bagby said. “Women had to fight for equality in the military. We shouldn’t have to fight for it as civilians.”