Hunter
08/05/22
A female Iowa City firefighter has filed suit against the city, claiming gender and sexual orientation discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
The suit claims, among other things, that Sadie McDowell heard male firefighters and officers make sexually inappropriate comments nearly every single day throughout her ten-plus years of employment. She has been on unpaid leave since last year.
Specifics in the suit claim that during her first year with the Department, someone entered the woman’s bathroom and took McDowell’s pants while she was showering; she was subjected to unwanted sexual touching and kissing by a male firefighter who suggested they participate in a threesome with his girlfriend; and that firefighters and managers repeatedly played the “eff, marry, kill” game in her presence.
McDowell says in the suit that the incidents have resulted in her developing depression and stress-related disorders, and is seeking a jury trial.
McDowell is one of only two women on the city’s Fire Department staff.
The City denied McDowell’s claim in a statement Thursday and will not comment further because of the ongoing litigation.