DETROIT (AP) — A jury has awarded $849,000 to a former Wayne State University student who said her pregnancy contributed to her ouster from the school's social work program.
Tina Varlesi says she was a victim of discrimination. She says she got a poor review during a 2008 internship at The Salvation Army because her pregnancy offended her supervisor there. As a result of that review, Wayne State bounced her from the School of Social Work where she was pursuing a master's degree.
A federal jury returned a verdict in Varlesi's favor Thursday. The 34-year-old Detroit-area woman says she feels vindicated. An email seeking comment was left with a Wayne State spokesman.
Varlesi's attorney says the verdict restores dignity to her client. Deborah Gordon says Varlesi was an excellent student.
