Relevant Facts
Ann Hopkins worked as a senior manager for the accounting firm of Price Waterhouse for four years and was proposed for partnership in 1982. Her 1982 partnership class included 87 other candidates, of which Ann Hopkins was the only woman. Price Waterhouse' final decision was to place her nomination on hold. It was suggested that she be given more work with partners and undertake a quality control review in order to demonstrate her skills and dispel concerns about her.
In the Ann Hopkins nominating proposal, she was praised for her "outstanding performance, virtually at partnership level". She had billed more hours, and generated more business than any other candidate. The admissions committee received 32 initial evaluations, 13 supported Hopkins for admission, 3 recommended she be put on hold, 8 had no opinion, and 8 opposed making her a partner. In the candidate evaluations, she received very few yes votes and more no votes than all but two of the other candidates that year.
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Civil Rights Act of 1964Ann Hopkins had four major work assignments during her time with Price Waterhouse. Each was successfully completed bringing in considerable business for Price Waterhouse. Most feedback from partners working with her and clients of hers had positive remarks about her and her work. There was some negative feedback about her "tough" and "abrasive" personality. She was promoted from manager to senior manager during this time. During an annual mandatory counseling session each employee went through, Hopkins was counseled to be more careful with her language.
Price Waterhouse had recommended and elected two candidates who were criticized for their aggressive, abrasive and crude behaviors. The policy board had feared the company would lose these specifically needed candidates if they were not promoted. Price Waterhouse had only seven female partners, which they explained by...