Rawlinson Case

We Background - Dianne Rawlinson, a female citizen of the state of Alabama, applied for a job as a state prison guard, but was rejected because she failed to meet a state requirement that all prison guards must be at least 5' 2" tall and weigh a minimum 120 pounds. Additionally, a state regulation prohibited women from serving as guards in maximum security institutions because that position would require direct contact with male prisoners.

The Complaint - Rawlinson filed suit with the EEOC and brought a class action suit against Alabama corrections officials in which she challenged the height/weight as well as the "close contact" regulations. Rawlinson claimed that these rules violated her civil rights under Title VII (1964) Civil Rights Act.

The Ruling - The District Court ruled in Rawlinson's favor on both counts. It took into account national statistics that outlined the comparatives heights and weights...
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