November 27, 2017

Lois Jenson presents for Legal Studies and Criminal Justice Class

Ms. Lois Jenson pictured with Mock Trial Director and Legal Studies Senior Melody Maleski in Swenson Hall.

Jenson shared her experiences as one of the first female miners working on the Iron Range of Minnesota during the 1970s and 80s

Lois Jenson, the primary plaintiff in the Jenson vs. Eveleth Taconite Company class action sexual harassment lawsuit in the 1970s-1990s, presented in Leslie Dollen's LSTU 365 Race, Class, Gender and the Law class on Monday, November 13. More than 30 students, faculty and staff attended this event.

The lawsuit was the first of its kind involving a class action application for protection of women in the workplace experiencing sexual harassment.

Jenson shared her personal experiences as one of the first female miners working on the Iron Range of Minnesota during the 1970s and 80s. The first women miners experienced sexual harassment, intimidation, threats, verbal abuse and other forms of harassments when they were hired by the mines. As a result of this path breaking lawsuit, sexual harassment trainings became mandatory at workplaces around the nation and sexual harassment lawsuits were able to be filed by similarly situated plaintiffs, thus lending support and strength to these claims.

Students had the opportunity to talk personally with Jenson and share their questions.

This is another example of active teaching and learning offered by the Legal Studies & Criminal Justice Program at UW-Superior. Leslie Dollen, a former 23-year Douglas County public defender and current academic instructional staff members of the program, arranged for this historic visit to UW-Superior.

"Every student was personally affected by Lois's experiences, and meeting her in person was an extraordinary event for all of us," said Dollen. "Lois is my hero."

Ms. Lois Jenson pictured with Mock Trial Director and Legal Studies Senior Melody Maleski in Swenson Hall.