Diane R. Williams facts for kids

Diane R. Williams (born December 6, 1947 – died August 12, 2016) was an American lawyer. She is famous for her important role in a court case called Williams v. Saxbe. This case helped to define what counts as unfair treatment at work.

Diane Williams was fired from her job at the United States Department of Justice. She believed she was treated unfairly by her boss. She took her case to a federal court in Washington, D.C. She won her case, which was a big deal.

Her victory led to the first U.S. District Court ruling that a type of unfair exchange, called quid pro quo, is a form of sex discrimination. This was covered under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Before becoming a lawyer, Williams worked as a news aide for the Washington Post and as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune. She had a long career as a lawyer, lasting 30 years.

About Diane R. Williams

Diane R. Williams was born on December 6, 1947, in Washington, D.C.. She went to Howard University and graduated in 1969. She earned a degree in English and American Literature.

In the late 1960s, she worked for the Washington Post as a news aide. In 1970, she joined the Washington Bureau of the Chicago Tribune. There, she became a reporter covering local news.

The Williams v. Saxbe Court Case

Diane Williams started working at the United States Department of Justice in 1972. She was 23 years old and a single mother. She worked in the Justice Department's Community Relations Service. Her job was to help with public information.

Williams felt her supervisor treated her unfairly. She believed this treatment was against the law. She said it violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This important law stops employers from treating workers differently based on their sex, race, religion, national origin, or color.

The court case, Williams v. Saxbe, was decided on April 20, 1976. The judge ruled in favor of Diane Williams. This decision was very important. It meant that a specific type of unfair demand, known as "quid pro quo," was a form of sex discrimination.

A "quid pro quo" happens when someone in a powerful position asks for something in return for a job benefit. For example, they might ask for something personal in exchange for a promotion or keeping a job. The court said this was illegal under the Civil Rights Act.

The case was later reviewed by a higher court, the U.S. Court of Appeals. In September 1978, the first decision was changed. The higher court said the judge had not followed the correct steps. However, the original case was confirmed again after another appeal. This meant Diane Williams's original victory stood.

Diane Williams passed away from cancer on August 12, 2016. Her case remains an important part of legal history. It helped protect workers from discrimination.