Former Philadelphia High School for Girls Principal Lisa Mesi is suing the Philadelphia School District and Associate Superintendent Tomas Hanna for racial discrimination and retaliation. Prominent Philadelphia employment law attorney, Sidney L. Gold, Esq., is representing Mesi, a longstanding, award-winning administrator the district relied upon to train new principals.
Mesi alleges that she is the victim of racial discrimination because she is white and was targeted after withholding students’ diplomas during graduation due to their conduct. According to the lawsuit, Mesi was removed “as a form of discipline and given a demeaning ‘special assignment’ because she is white, and in retaliation for exercising her First Amendment right to refuse to appear at a public press conference and issue a public apology, as requested by the defendants, regarding a matter of public concern that had racial overtones.”
Prior to the 2023 graduation ceremony, Mesi informed seniors they were required to wear white clothing and cross the stage sedately, as is the custom for the prestigious magnet school’s graduation ceremonies. She warned students their diplomas would be withheld if families “clapped, cheered, or called out” during the ceremony. Three students disobeyed, and their diplomas were withheld and provided after the ceremony.
Social media coverage of the graduation incident spread quickly, even drawing international attention. Though some users defended the school’s traditions and Mesi’s enforcement of them, others claimed the rule is insensitive to black culture, noting that three principals preceding Mesi were black.
Established in 1848, the Philadelphia High School for Girls is one of the nation’s first public all-female high schools. It has an “established rule and tradition” of requiring graduates to cross the stage formally and without audience applause or shouting.
In June, District officials stated, “The district does not condone the withholding of earned diplomas based on family members cheering for their graduates. We apologize to all the impacted families and graduates and are looking into this matter further to avoid it happening in the future.”
School Board President Reginald Streater condemned the withholding of diplomas, stating it allowed “nonmaterial antiquated norms [to] preclude moments of inclusive joy that often follow moments of achievement [and] recognition.”
Mesi’s supervisor, Assistant Superintendent Ted Domers, chastised her in an email, stating that her actions “demonstrated a lack of respect to the students and their families” and that the practice is outdated and “lacks an awareness of culturally responsive norms.”
Mesi believes that the District “threw her under the bus” despite following the same graduation rule enforced by her predecessors without adverse consequences.
Hanna and District Spokesperson Monique Braxton pressured the former principal to apologize for withholding diplomas at a press conference. Braxton told Mesi, “If you were a black woman, this would not be happening.” Mesi refused and was later found guilty of insubordination “for refusing to provide support for composing a public message” in response to the diploma incident. She was then transferred to a position in the central office “with prejudice.”
Mesi believes that had she been a person of color, the school district would not have removed and reassigned her to a lesser position performing “simplistic and menial tasks not suitable for someone of her caliber and with her experience and qualifications,” the suit says.
Since graduation, Mesi and members of her family have suffered significant public backlash, including vulgar and obscene comments and accusations that Mesi’s actions were racially motivated. Threats escalated to the point of causing Mesi serious emotional and physical harm and involving law enforcement, according to the lawsuit.
Mesi unsuccessfully applied for open administrative jobs in the past year, including associate superintendent and principal positions at Julia R. Masterman, Joseph Greenberg, and William M. Meredith Schools. She maintains that two of the positions were filled by less-qualified black candidates. She ultimately accepted the position of principal of Feltonville School of Arts and Sciences.
Mesi is seeking damages for emotional pain, reputational harm, loss of earnings, and opportunities for professional advancement.
The Gold Law Firm P.C. is a premier employment law firm located in Philadelphia and Pennsauken, New Jersey. To learn more about our services or schedule a free consultation, call 215-569-1999 or contact us online. We proudly serve clients in South Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania.
