Elnora Williams, a black female teacher with 10 years of classroom experience andpartial completion of her doctoral degree in education, applied for several vacant middle and secondary principalships in the Knox County school system. Each timeshe applied, she was told by the superintendent that “the school district believed that a ‘male image’ is necessary for a middle or secondary school principle.” No females had occupied a principal position in the school district. Williams subsequently filed a lawsuit in District Court accusing the school system of discrimination.