Lucas V Dole
Lucas v. Dole 1
Running Head: LUCAS v. DOLE
Case Analysis: Lucas v. Dole
Lucas v. Dole 2
Case Analysis: Lucas v. Dole
Abstract
In the Fall of 1987, plaintiff Julia Lucas appeals the dismissal of her job
discrimination suit. Lucas, a white woman, argues that she was the victim of reverse
discrimination when Rosa Wright, a less qualified black woman, was promoted to the
Quality Assurance and Training Specialist position at her job. The judge dismissed the
claim, finding that Lucas did not make out a prima facie case (Open Jurist, 2011).
Statement of the Problem
Both Julia Lucas, a white woman, and Rosa Wright, a black woman, work for the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). They both applied for Quality Assurance and
Training Specialist (QATS) positions at the Flight Service Station in Leesburg, Virginia.
Both women, along with nineteen other applicants, were qualified for the two positions
that were available. Edward Dietz, the official who interviewed the top four applicants,
selected Rosa Wright and another woman named Sharon Hall as the best candidates to fill
the positions. Edward Dietz did not consider Julia Lucas. Lucas believed she was reverse
discriminated and took the case to court (Open Jurist, 2011).
Findings of Fact It was verified that although FAA determined that all nineteen applicants were
qualified, Wright did not have a current Pilot Weather Briefing Certificate at the time of
her selection, a QATS job requirement. Lucas presented other evidence in order to show
discrimination. She testified to the subjective nature of the interviewing process, which
consisted of five general questions concerning the QATS position. She presented
Lucas v. Dole 3
evidence that her answers were detailed and job specific, while Wright 's were broad and
could apply to many jobs. Evidence also showed that in July 1985, Wright
Running Head: LUCAS v. DOLE
Case Analysis: Lucas v. Dole
Lucas v. Dole 2
Case Analysis: Lucas v. Dole
Abstract
In the Fall of 1987, plaintiff Julia Lucas appeals the dismissal of her job
discrimination suit. Lucas, a white woman, argues that she was the victim of reverse
discrimination when Rosa Wright, a less qualified black woman, was promoted to the
Quality Assurance and Training Specialist position at her job. The judge dismissed the
claim, finding that Lucas did not make out a prima facie case (Open Jurist, 2011).
Statement of the Problem
Both Julia Lucas, a white woman, and Rosa Wright, a black woman, work for the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). They both applied for Quality Assurance and
Training Specialist (QATS) positions at the Flight Service Station in Leesburg, Virginia.
Both women, along with nineteen other applicants, were qualified for the two positions
that were available. Edward Dietz, the official who interviewed the top four applicants,
selected Rosa Wright and another woman named Sharon Hall as the best candidates to fill
the positions. Edward Dietz did not consider Julia Lucas. Lucas believed she was reverse
discriminated and took the case to court (Open Jurist, 2011).
Findings of Fact It was verified that although FAA determined that all nineteen applicants were
qualified, Wright did not have a current Pilot Weather Briefing Certificate at the time of
her selection, a QATS job requirement. Lucas presented other evidence in order to show
discrimination. She testified to the subjective nature of the interviewing process, which
consisted of five general questions concerning the QATS position. She presented
Lucas v. Dole 3
evidence that her answers were detailed and job specific, while Wright 's were broad and
could apply to many jobs. Evidence also showed that in July 1985, Wright
References: Carr-Ruffino, N(2009). Managing diversity: people skills for a multicultural workplace. (8th ed.). USA: Pearson Open Jurist. (2011). 835 f. 2d 532-lucas v. dole. Retrieved from http://openjurist.org/835/f2d/532