Ann Hopkins - Breaking Barriers and a Fight for Equality
Business Manager and Accountant
Born: December 18, 1943, Galveston, Texas, U.S.A.
Died: June 23, 2018, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
Ann Hopkins was a courageous woman who stood up against workplace injustice and changed the law to protect countless others from discrimination.
Ann was born on December 18, 1943, in Galveston, Texas. From a young age, her mother encouraged her to be confident and strong, reminding her to give a firm handshake and walk into a room as if she belonged there. Ann took those lessons to heart. They helped her succeed in a career where few women were welcomed, accounting.
Ann graduated from Hollins College in 1965 and later joined the large accounting firm Price Waterhouse. She quickly built a reputation as one of the company’s most talented employees. She brought in major clients, worked tirelessly, and earned respect for her sharp skills. In a profession dominated by men, Ann refused to change who she was to fit outdated gender roles. She dressed and spoke as she wished, focused on her work, and achieved results that most accountants only dreamed of.
By 1982, Ann’s record of success made her an obvious candidate for partnership at Price Waterhouse. But when the decision came, she was denied. The reason had nothing to do with her ability. Instead, her male colleagues criticized her for not being “feminine enough.” She was told to walk, talk, and dress more like a woman, to wear makeup, jewelry, and styled hair if she wanted a chance. Rather than accept this unfair treatment, Ann chose to fight back.
She sued Price Waterhouse for gender discrimination. Her case, filed in 1983, lasted seven long years. Ann won two federal court cases, but Price Waterhouse continued to resist. Finally, in 1989, her case reached the United States Supreme Court. The ruling was historic. In a 6–3 decision, the Court sided with Ann. They declared that employers could not deny opportunities based on gender stereotypes. Justice William Brennan explained that if a company required traits like aggressiveness in a job, it could not punish women for showing those traits. Doing so was unfair and illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The case Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins was the first time the Supreme Court ruled that gender stereotyping is a form of discrimination. This decision changed workplace law forever. It made clear that employees must be judged on their abilities, not on whether they fit someone else’s ideas of how men or women should act.
Ann’s victory also reached beyond her personal battle. Over time, her case has been used as precedent to protect LGBTQ employees who face discrimination for not fitting traditional gender roles. Courts across the country have cited Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins when ruling in favor of people fired or mistreated because of their identity or appearance. Her courage opened doors not only for women but also for countless others fighting for equal rights.
Ann Hopkins’ personal fight came with sacrifices. Despite winning in the Supreme Court, she did not return to her job at Price Waterhouse. Instead, she moved forward, writing a memoir in 1996 called So Ordered: Making Partner the Hard Way. She later worked in management consulting and continued to inspire others through her story.
On June 23, 2018, Ann Hopkins passed away at the age of 74. Her legacy lives on in every workplace where people are judged on merit rather than stereotypes. The “glass ceiling” may still exist in many places, but Ann’s bravery cracked it wide open. She proved that one person’s determination can change laws, inspire progress, and bring society closer to fairness and equality.
Ann Hopkins stood up for herself, and in doing so, she stood up for us all.
References:
Hopkins, Ann. Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins: A Personal Account of a Sexual Discrimination Plaintiff, law.hofstra.edu/pdf/academics/journals/laborandemploymentlawjournal/labor_hopkins_vol22no2.pdf.
Meador, Sharon. “Hollins Mourns Loss of Alumna Who Persevered against Gender Bias.” Hollins University, 23 Jan. 2024, www.hollins.edu/news/hollins-mourns-loss-of-alumna-who-persevered-against-gender-bias.
Weiss, Debra Cassens. “Ann Hopkins, Plaintiff in Landmark Gender Stereotyping Case, Dies at 74.” ABA Journal, 18 July 2018, www.abajournal.com/news/article/ann_hopkins_plaintiff_in_landmark_gender_stereotyping_case_dies_at_74.
Keywords:
Civil Rights, Justice, Courage, Perseverance, Responsibility, Repair the World – Tikkun Olam, Challenge Injustices, Stand Up for Your Beliefs