Woman claims discrimination over gray hair

HOUSTON—A 52-year-old Houston woman is suing after what she says was an order from her boss to dye her shoulder-length gray hair.

Sandra Rawline, who was an escrow officer and branch manager at Capital Title of Texas, said she was also instructed to wear “younger fancy suits” and lots of fancy jewelry. When she refused to dye her hair, Rawline says she was told her services were no longer necessary and she was replaced by a younger woman.

Rawline filed an age discrimination and retaliation lawsuit in federal court in Houston.

Capital Title of Texas says it didn’t terminate Rawline in 2009 because of her age or appearance, but because a customer no longer wanted to do business with her. CEO Bill Shaddock calls the allegations “completely baseless and preposterous.”