This year’s St. Thomas More 1L Oral Advocacy Competition involved an alleged violation of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act under Title VII.  Appellant Bethany Dutton works as a Master Sculptor as Paradise Valley Creations, Inc., an internationally-known art studio, founded and headed by Monica Long.  The island country of Canary Stone commissioned Paradise Valley Creations to create a large public sculpture, “Gateway to the Caribbean,” to be unveiled in Canary Stone in June 2023.

After Receiving the Commission, Ms. Long assembled an experienced team of Paradise Valley employees to work on the sculpture, including two Master Sculptors, Travis Wheatley and Appellant Bethany Dutton.

In March 2023, Mr. Wheatley underwent elective knee-replacement surgery and later suffered an infection. After rehabilitation, Mr. Wheatley requested an accommodation to forgo travel to Canary Stone for the unveiling of the Gateway sculpture. Ms. Long granted that request in mid-May.

In February 2023, Ms. Dutton married her fiancé and, because she was already in her early 40’s, Ms. Dutton and her husband were anxious to start a family.  After consulting with her doctor, Ms. Dutton was concerned because of the active ourbreak of the Zika virus in Canary Stone. The Zika virus is known to cause birth defects.  Based on this information, Ms. Dutton requested an accommodation not to travel to Canary Stone.  Ms. Long denied the request. Despite taking precautions, Ms. Dutton did contract the virus on her trip and, as a result, will have to delay trying to get pregnant for two years.