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1964, 42 U.S.C. sec. 2000e et seq. (title VII). The
representatives sought backpay, as well as injunctive and
declaratory relief.
The District Court bifurcated the litigation into a
liability and a remedy phase. On April 29, 1985, the court ruled
in the liability phase that State Farm was liable under title VII
for classwide discrimination on the basis of gender. See
Kraszewski v. State Farm Gen. Ins. Co., 38 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas.
(BNA) 197 (N.D. Cal. 1985). The court found that women who
attempted to become trainee agents were "lied to, misinformed,
and discouraged in their efforts to attain the entry level sales
position." Id. at 257. The court then ruled that the class
action suit properly included "all female applicants and deterred
applicants who, at any time since July 5, 1974, have been, are,
or will be denied recruitment, selection and/or hire as trainee
agents by defendant companies within the State of California."
Id. at 258.
On July 17, 1986, the court held that individual hearings
were appropriate to determine the relief for class members. The
court decided that class members were entitled to show that they
were actual victims of discrimination as to any of the vacancies
at State Farm which occurred during the period of liability and
were filled by men.
On or around January 25, 1975, petitioner Carolyn L. Raney
(petitioner) applied to become a State Farm trainee agent but was
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