A meteorologist at an ABC TV affiliate in Tennessee tweeted that she has been axed from the local news station — and signaled it was because she had “curly hair” and isn’t a “size 2.”
Tabitha Bartoe has ended her weekend morning weather anchor gig at Knoxville, Tenn.’s WATE 6 “On Your Side” after just four months on the job, according to her LinkedIn page.
In a Twitter post, Bartoe shared a message to viewers letting them know “the sad news” that her “time at WATE has come to a close” — and suggested that she was fired because of her appearance.
She continued: “One thing I will say, is that I hope that in the future, we all learn to appreciate and accept people for who they are. For their appearance, for their STYLE,” Bartoe tweeted.
“Everyone is beautiful and professional in their own ways. No matter if you have CURLY HAIR, or you’re NOT a size 2, but a size 12.”
“You matter and people’s comments should not let you down, or it should not play as a large circumstance in your job,” Bartoe added. “If you have natural curls, embrace them and be proud of your natural hair. It is professional.”
WATE 6 did not immediately respond to noti.group’s request for comment.
NY1 weekend anchor and breaking news reporter Kristen Shaughnessy retweeted Bartoe’s message, saying it was “not a good look, @6News… but interested to hear the News Director’s response.”
“Did you fire female meteorologist @TabithaBartoe because she wouldn’t straighten her hair,” Shaughnessy added. “Did you think because she is young she wouldn’t speak up?”
According to Bartoe’s social media — where she frequently posted about her love for her job — she turned 22 in April.
Bartoe also said she was “so appreciative of the Storm Team, the digital producers, the rest of the on air talent, and everyone in the control room. They were the ones that kept spirits lifted and positive, even if the circumstances with management were not as great.”
[Written in collaboration with other media outlets with information from the following sources]
