Diversity Manager Sues Framingham

Diversity Manager Files Civil Rights Lawsuit Against Framingham Public Schools 

Lawyers for Civil Rights filed a discrimination complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) against Framingham Public Schools on behalf of Ms. Saundra Edwards, the District’s former Diversity, Inclusion, and Compliance Manager. The complaint exposes the District’s pattern of retaliating against employees who speak up against discrimination, particularly Black women. 

Ms. Edwards, a Black woman, oversaw civil rights investigations and responded to reports of discrimination. In this role, she became a trusted advocate for staff of color, who repeatedly described Framingham Public Schools as “racist” and “oppressive.” Many came to her in confidence, fearful of retaliation, asking her to support them in meetings with Human Resources. 

Rather than addressing the discrimination complaints, the District punished Ms. Edwards for doing her compliance work. After she began supporting aggrieved colleagues, she was stripped of her supervisory responsibilities and reassigned to handle bullying incidents across more than a dozen schools. Ms. Edwards was also subjected to racial animus and harmful tropes for being “angry,” “aggressive,” and “argumentative,” and “embarrassing” – all prejudicial stereotypes used to discredit Black women in the workplace.

“I spoke up for my colleagues because it was the right thing to do,” said Ms. Edwards. “The price I paid was my career. No one should be punished for telling the truth.” 

Ms. Edwards relayed concerns raised by several Black women who filed a discrimination complaint against a senior administrator. Shortly after supporting these women during an independent investigation, Ms. Edwards was reprimanded for purported “unprofessionalism.” She was also terminated, purportedly due to budget cuts. However, several white employees whose roles were cut were offered reassignment, while Ms. Edwards and other aggrieved Black women were not.  

“Ms. Edwards was a moral compass within a toxic system,” said Erika Richmond Walton, an attorney with Lawyers for Civil Rights. “Framingham Public Schools silenced her instead of listening. This kind of retaliation sends a chilling message to anyone brave enough to confront injustice. We are filing this lawsuit to protect educators and administrators of color.” 

In addition to damages, Ms. Edwards is seeking policy changes, including hiring an independent investigator to conduct an equal opportunity and fairness audit; adopting stronger nondiscrimination and anti-retaliation policies; requiring senior administrators to undergo comprehensive nondiscrimination training; and establishing a meaningful process for employees to appeal adverse employment decisions. 

The complaint is available here: