http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10545920 Published Friday January 23, 2009
Fired counselor sues Omaha Catholic school
BY CHRISTOPHER BURBACH
A woman who was fired from her job as a Catholic grade school guidance counselor after she became pregnant while unmarried is suing the school and parish, alleging discrimination based on her pregnancy, marital status and age.
Tracy E. McGinnis, 42, says she was fired in January 2008 from Christ the King School in Omaha because she was pregnant and unmarried. She said she was fired after she failed to meet what she considered impossible conditions in an ultimatum letter — that she produce documents proving she was married before the letter was issued.
Parish officials admit firing McGinnis and issuing the letter, according to court filings. But they say it was “for legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons; namely, that (McGinnis) engaged in conduct which reflected grave discredit upon (the) parish and school community.”
A Christ the King teacher who at the same time was also unwed and pregnant got married and kept her job.
“We have one person who got married, and one person who didn’t,” said Aaron Smeall, McGinnis’ lawyer. “The one who didn’t got fired.”
It wasn’t becoming pregnant while unmarried that led to McGinnis’ firing, but her response to school and parish officials once she had revealed the pregnancy, said Pat Flood, an attorney for the Archdiocese of Omaha who is representing Christ the King in the lawsuit.
FULL story at link.