In its first federal sexual harassment complaint of the Me Too movement, the ACLU has filed charges against the Fairfax County and the fire department.
The charges are being filed on behalf of two of the highest-ranking women in the Fairfax County Fire Department. The national civil rights organization is accusing Fairfax County leadership of retaliation over sexual harassment complaints. The charges are the first step in filing a federal lawsuit over the treatment of women in a fire department renowned for its emergency and fire response.
“Harassment, cold shoulder, people messing with my office. My computer not working,”said Kathleen Stanley.
“They’re trying to force me out. There’s no other way to look at it,” said Cheri Zosh.
Battalion chiefs Cheri Zosh and Kathleen Stanley are the two highest-ranking women in the Fairfax County Fire Department. They are two of only three women battalion chiefs. Zosh has been in the department 24 years, Stanley, 27 years.