Woman fired for gray hair. Lawsuit ensues

A Houston woman, who said her boss told her to dye her gray hair, is suing her employer for discrimination.

Sandra Rawline, 52, has shoulder-length gray hair which she refused to dye.

She claims when her refusal became known to her employer at Capital Title of Texas, she was told in August 2009 her services were no longer necessary and was replaced by a younger woman, who presumably did not have gray hair.

According to the Houston Chronicle, Rawline said her boss told her to dye her gray hair because the office was moving to a more upscale office space, and wanted a “new image” to fit in with their new location.

The contract officer and branch manager also claims she was instructed to wear “younger fancy suits" and lots of jeweler.

Rawline’s hair has been grey with silver streaks since her early twenties. She says she likes her natural hair color and refused to change it.

Capital Title of Texas denies it terminated Rawline in 2009 because of her age or appearance, but says she was fired because a customer no longer wanted to do business with her.

CEO Bill Shaddock calls the allegations ''completely baseless and preposterous''.

“Since the customer refused to work with her any longer, there would be no job left for her," he said in a statement.

The company added that three employees who are 64 years old still work with the customer.

"I'd hire a 150-year-old individual if they were worthy," said Shaddock, who added that he also has gray hair.