The City of Lansing has settled the gender discrimination lawsuit brought by Firefighter/Paramedic Cecilia Major over allegations that she was singled out and repeatedly questioned about wearing a bra while on duty. Under the settlement, Lansing agreed to pay Major $325,000, with approximately $210,000 going directly to her and the balance covering attorney’s fees and related costs.  

As previously reported on Fire Law Blog, Major filed suit in Ingham County Circuit Court alleging that Fire Chief Brian Sturdivant directed supervisors to confront her about her undergarments and required two male officers to monitor whether she was complying with his directive. The complaint alleged violations of Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, including disparate treatment, retaliation, and hostile work environment.

According to the original complaint, the issue began in June 2025 when Assistant Chief Carrie Edwards-Clemmons met with Major and, at Chief Sturdivant’s direction, raised concerns about whether she was wearing a bra while at work. A second meeting followed a week later with Chief Sturdivant, two male officers, and a union representative present. During that meeting, Major alleged that the chief opened the discussion by stating that the meeting concerned her failure to wear a bra and then asked her directly whether she was wearing one.

The lawsuit contended that no written department policy required female firefighters to wear a bra and that Major was treated differently from male firefighters because of her sex. It further alleged that after she objected to the directive and raised concerns about how female employees were being treated, she experienced retaliation.

News reports indicate the settlement also resolves related employment claims arising from the same events. Lansing officials approved the agreement in closed session. Chief Sturdivant left the department after his contract expired. More on the story.