I did something in 1971-72 that has had repercussions in American business. I have recently received my second appreciation (Blog on the first.)
When I left the Bank of California as a vice president, I told top management that I would bring a legal case against the bank on the issue of its inadequate hiring of minorities and women. It took six months for me to find a lawyer who would handle the case, and then the lawyer demanded that I find minorities, a black and a woman who had legal standing to sue the bank. I did.
The suit resulted in negotiations by the lawyer, Robert Gnaizda from the firm Public Advocates, that became the most advanced and extensive employment discrimination settlement in American history. This is why you still see more minorities and women in banking than in any other American industry.
More than a decade ago, I was appreciated with a standing ovation by thousands in a black church (Allen Temple Baptist of Oakland) when the minister described what I had done.
Last week I received a standing ovation from more than 20 young Filipinos who were told about this historic event. At the same time I learned from Mr. Gnaizda that the reason for the prompt settlement was that the Federal judge hearing the case had authorized the class-action to include all minorities and women in California who might have applied for a job at this bank in the previous 10 years. The largest class-action ever created.
I am particularly grateful to the Filipino audience, who are staff and friends at one of my current clients. I think very highly of the Filipino American community that I know and work with. They are industrious, they contribute immensely to American society; they are bright, hard-working students and as an American population, they are uniquely wonderful people.