BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WBRC ) - A Birmingham teacher and basketball coach filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against the Birmingham Board of Education, claiming she faced gender bias and retaliation that led to her removal from coaching duties.

JoVanka Ward filed the complaint Oct. 23 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, seeking damages under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Ward worked as a health and driver’s education teacher at Ramsay IB High School and served as head girls’ basketball coach from 2019 until February 2024.

Claims of unequal treatment

According to the lawsuit, Ward said male coaches had unrestricted access to gym facilities while she was prohibited from similar use. She said she was repeatedly relocated out of the gym and required

See Full Page