Woman Fights for Right to Wear Hijab at Orlando Apartment Management Company

June 23, 2005

Source: Sun Sentinel

Wire Service: AP

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/sfl-fscarf23jun23,0,3888757.story?coll=sfla-news-florida

On June 23, 2005 the Associated Press reported, "A Muslim woman sued an apartment management company Wednesday, alleging that she was denied a job at an Orlando apartment complex because she refused to remove her head scarf for religious reasons. Danine Hammond joined a growing list of Muslim women alleging discrimination over their 'hijab' or head scarf, which some Muslim women say they are required to wear because of modesty. Hammond says in the state court lawsuit that when she showed up for the first day of work in April 2004 at the Chapel Trace Apartments, office manager Olga Sierra called her into her office and told her that she wouldn't be allowed to work 'dressed like that'... Hammond sued under the Florida Civil Rights Act seeking all pay and benefits she lost, compensatory and punitive damages and an injunction against the company prohibiting future discriminatory practices."