Protections exist

Manhattan: Upon graduating from high school in the mid50s, I was a receptionist at a brokerage firm on Wall Street. I was constantly and sexually harassed — by people whispering dirty jokes in my ear, squeezing my waist, massaging my back, etc. The worst incident was being lured into the supply room, where I was sexually attacked. I fought my way free and left at 3 p.m. with a torn blouse. The next morning, my boss asked why I left so early. I said I was not feeling well. Would I have divulged the real reason — that the head of the trading room attacked me — I would have been let go immediately. Who would fire a top-earning trader as opposed to a young girl from Brooklyn earning $35 a week? Women had no rights regarding sexual harassment. We have come a long way, ladies. Let’s not forget that Gov. Cuomo has done and continues to do an outstanding job during COVID-19.

Emma Gruber