It's A Small World -- Tony Award-Winner's Mother Was a Seattle Policewoman

Lillian Mitchell became Seattle's first African American policewoman when she joined the Seattle Police Department in 1955. In addition to being a pioneer in the police world, she was also the mother of actor/singer Brian Stokes Mitchell, who won a Tony Award in 2000 for Kiss Me, Kate.


In the photo above, Lillian Mitchell (left) appears as one of only two policewomen in her academy class in 1956; the other was Karen Ejde.

Lillian Mitchell (left) is seen riding in a 1950s-era patrol car with Policewoman Helen Karas. Photos courtesy of the Seattle Police Department.

Female Police Officers Settle Sexual Harassment Lawsuit for $5 Million

For those who think sexual harassment is a thing of the past, consider this: The Oakland Tribune reported today that 14 female police officers settled a harassment lawsuit with the Hayward Police Department near San Francisco for close to $5 million.

According to the article written by Eric Kurhi, the lawsuit alleged "...the Police Department had an atmosphere in which many males considered their jobs to be 'men's work,' and openly expressed the opinion that women were unfit to wield power or authority. Also, 'female officers are encouraged to make themselves sexually available to men in the department,' and 'a discriminatory culture exists in which female employees are regarded as "fair game" for potential sexual conquests.'

The suit also alleged female cops who accepted the sexual advances were favored for promotions, women who complained suffered retaliation, and lesbian officers were "targeted for conversion." In addition, claims of harassment against one female officer included her being shown a videotape of her husband -- also a cop -- having sex with a dispatcher.

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