Women Sue White Rock Church Day Care, Alleging Racism

SANTA FE, N.M.(AP) – Five Rio Arriba County women have sued a day care center run by a church.

They allege they were fired after complaining about the director’s assumptions about Hispanic culture. Rachel Martinez, Ella Martinez, Elizabeth Quintana, Evan Padilla and Joanie Maestas seek unspecified damages in their lawsuit.

Defendants are the White Rock United Methodist Church, Horizons Preschool and Daycare, director Darlene Tanski and the center’s board of directors. The lawsuit alleges Tanski demoted Rachel Martinez and singled out Hispanic children for discipline.

The lawsuit also alleges Tanski called Hispanic culture “strange” and urged Maestas to adopt another religion “to be closer to God.” Tanski declines comment, saying she hasn’t seen the lawsuit.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)