(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right

Last week I promised my typed copy of a letter to the Senate regarding the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act; what I didn't know about writing said letter is that I would be hitching myself to this cause. It was one thing to sit on my hands for nearly a year thinking about my situation, it was another thing to contemplate writing a letter that might seem like a lost cause, and it has been an entirely different thing to draft the letter and be ready to take action on it. Taking action means wielding my experiences to forge a new future for myself and for others, allowing those experiences to be an agent for change instead of just a card I was dealt. Putting pen to paper is just the beginning of this fight, and let's be real, fighting for something bigger than yourself feels damn good (and sometimes even a little insane (in the membrane)). The Beastie Boys fought for your right to party; I will fight for your right to have protection against discrimination in businesses of any size.

So here it is:

The Honorable Natasha Marcus

300 N. Salisbury Street, Rm. 519

Raleigh, NC 27603

January 4, 2023

Subject: Advocating for the amendment of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to protect employees of companies with fewer than 15 employees.

Dear Senator Natasha R. Marcus,

My name is Haley Brengartner and I reside at XXXXX X XXXXXXX XXXX Dr. Huntersville, North Carolina. I am a two years removed graduate of Elon University and am now a Product Manager at Emporos Systems Corporation located in Charlotte, North Carolina.

As your constituent and registered voter, I am writing to express my concern about Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. My concern is that the definition of "employer" found in SEC. 2000e. [Section 701] as "a person engaged in an industry affecting commerce who has fifteen or more employees..." no longer accurately represents the modern-day United States employer. During the 1960s, the domestic economic landscape was dominated by big business making it difficult for small firms to compete. In the present day, small and micro businesses are making huge strides with nearly 78% of all employer businesses having fewer than 10 employees. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in employment but neglects to protect the millions of employees that work for a firm with fewer than 15 employees. There is no doubt that small businesses are driving major economic growth and are created the same way most businesses are: as small startups. These businesses must be adequately protected and supported throughout their many phases of development. Therefore, I confidently conclude that in SEC. 2000e. [Section 701], the definition of "employer" be amended to protect employees of companies with 5 or more employees, in doing so, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) be appropriately funded to support the changes in staffing, training, legal proceedings, education, and outreach.

In 2020, I held my first full-time job post-college graduation working for a software development company of seven employees. The company had two overseas offices that were subsidiaries of separate parent companies, and between all office locations, I was one of two females in an organization of 60+ men. My employment, unfortunately, had to come to an abrupt conclusion after repeated sexual harassment offenses and discrimination by executive company leadership. It was at this time that a lawyer informed me that I was not protected by the law and there was nothing I could do other than leave the company. I cannot rewrite my history, but I believe we can write a new future for others - a future where legislation evolves to protect us in an ever-changing landscape.

I appreciate your time and help and ask that you please send me a response letting me know what you intend to do as a next step regarding this matter.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Haley Brengartner

I think this letter may be the most important thing I write all year and before I transcribe these words onto the fancy letterhead that is currently en route to my house, I would appreciate your feedback and guidance. Hiring all grammar police, syntax patrol, and diction juries!

Thank you for reading, I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to the New Year.