Aurora's Stand

Book excerpt: Aurora Boswell, an African American woman in her late forties, has worked her way up the corporate ladder at the City Conference and Exhibition Center in Memphis, Tennessee. But apparently, her ladder of success has just hit a very low ceiling. Trying to work hard and prove herself worthy of advancement does nothing to convince those above her that Aurora deserves to be promoted. She is repeatedly denied promotions while younger, less-qualified employees are given the higher-paying jobs for which she applies. After being harassed by some of her female coworkers, Aurora files a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and is wrongfully terminated from her job. The backstabbing, lying, and underhanded tactics used by Executive Director Gary Davis and his "band of idiots" are not just unnerving, but are proof positive of the lows to which people will stoop to make another's life miserable. Aurora's immediate supervisor, Lou Ann Houser, is not a bright woman, and her scheming ways just might come back to haunt her once the case reaches the courtroom. Aurora's lawyer is determined to prove to the court the real personalities of the people in management. Will Aurora have the personal strength to stand up and fight for her rights?