When Kymberly Clem bought a dress Saturday in Richmond Mall, she had no idea it would be the reason for a mall security guard to escort her off the mall premises the following day.
She and her sister Kendra are standing firm with their opinion that the security guard had no right to do so.
The 20-year-old Eastern Kentucky University criminal justice major wore the dress to the mall Sunday and had only been there about 10 minutes when she was approached by a security guard who was concerned that her dress was too short.
“He made me turn all the way around while he stared me up and down,” Kymberly said. “The only thing he said was that other people didn’t like the way I looked, so he wanted me to leave.”
The guard also said several women had complained because their husbands were staring at her, she said.
“I felt humiliated because not only did he embarrass me by making a scene, but he actually followed me out of the mall as if I stole something,” she said. “It’s hard for me to understand how I could be disrespected so much.”
Kendra admitted that Kymberly’s dress was short, but that it was not showing her buttocks.
“It’s turned into a big mess,” Kendra said. “It’s discrimination and she has the right to wear what she wants. We’re just trying to make people understand that you can’t (discriminate). I think as Americans, we have the right to wear what we would like as long as we are not showing any private body parts. I also want to know what gave (the security guard) the right to physically escort her out of the mall.”
Kymberly said she wants to use this incident as a way to speak out about discrimination.
“I just want them to understand that they were wrong and this was a decision that was made by a personal opinion,” Clem said. “I want to speak for everybody else who has been discriminated against but has never said anything. I want them to apologize and let them know that this day and age, a woman has a right to wear what she wants.”
Several comments began to surface Monday on the Richmond Register’s online community forum.
“The dress was not exactly appropriate for mall wear, but it was certainly not indecent,” a blogger wrote. “It was short, but showed nothing that is illegal to show. Personally, I’ve seen worse on Eastern’s campus than what this young lady was wearing.”
Clem has obtained local defense attorney Wes Browne to represent her case in court, however she has not officially filed suit against any entity, Browne said.
“We’re in the beginning stages and are reviewing her legal options,” he said.
Vicki Strunk, manager of Richmond Mall, could not be reached Monday for a comment.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.
Local News
You can buy it at the mall, but you can’t wear it there
- Local News
-
-
Aiming high
The tiny Tic-Tac sized spots on 11-year-old Corie Young's right cheek are the marks of her archery accomplishments.
-
Richmond officers recognized at annual banquet
Several Richmond officers were recognized May 8 for outstanding service in 2011 at the annual police awards banquet. -
Suspect found hiding under church pew
BEREA — A burglary suspect was found hiding under a church pew Monday at Highway
Holiness Church on Haiti Road in Berea, according to a police report.
Berea Police arrested Timmy Brock, 26, and charged him with third-degree burglary. -
Berea family charged with making meth
BEREA — A call about a fight between a father and his son Friday night resulted in the arrest of the two men, plus another family member, on meth manufacturing charges.
-
Yes, those precincts do have some city voters
Some county residents who vote in Deacon Hills, Duncannon and Kingston precincts may have been surprised to see them listed as precincts where voting will take place for Richmond City Commission races.
-
Maker’s collectibles stolen from home
A resident in the 100 block of Crescent Hill Drive told police Monday his residence was broken into that morning and several items were stolen.
Illegal entry may have been made through an u -
Free oil changes for single moms Saturday
First Baptist Church, 425 Eastern Bypass, Richmond, is offering free oil changes from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday for single mothers, wives of deployed soldiers and widows
-
Brandy Winkler hopes to bring a different view to circuit clerk office
(Editor's note: This is the last article in a three-part series about the candidates in the Democratic primary for Madison Circuit Clerk. There are no Republicans in the race, so the Democratic primary winner will get the office. Sunday’s Register included a profile on candidate Jennifer Webb, and a profile on Darlene Snyder was published Monday.)Having an outsider’s view along with 17 years of banking and management experience is something Brandy Winkler is counting on to win over voters May 22. -
Smarter spending, economic recruitment goals for 36th Rep. candidate Nathan Mick
(Editor’s Note: This is the first in a two-part series about the candidates in the May 22 Republican primary for 36th District state representative. A profile of the other candidate in the race, Jonathan Shell, will appear in Thursday’s Register.)Republican candidate for state representative Nathan Mick says he is ready to “hit the ground running” if elected.Long-time Republican incumbent Lonnie Napier, who is retiring from the seat, has endorsed Mick as his replacement. -
Troopers remembered
Members of the Madison County law enforcement community, led by state police troopers, honored Monday two of their number who died in the line of duty.On Feb. 11, 1979, Trooper Clinton Cunningham, 29, was shot in the back while investigating a false report of a break-in at a store in Franklin County. He had worked for the Kentucky State Police for three years. - More Local News Headlines
-
Police to Groom of Slain Bride: Turn Yourself In
Defense Rests Without Calling Edwards, Mistress
Laurie Fine: My Life Has Been Destroyed
FTC: Skechers Deceived Consumers With Shoe Ads
FBI Confirms Leak Probe on Al-Qaida Plot
Romney Calls Obama a 'Disappointment'
Students in Tornado-hit Community Await Lady A
On Zuckerberg's Mind: People, Not Shareholders
Honda Unveils New Robotics-powered Scooter
NJ Gov., Mayor Channel Seinfeld in Video Parody
Blood Drive for Woman With Flesh-Eating Disease
AG Race Tops Oregon Primary Interest
Obama Welcomes Beckham, Galaxy to White House
Raw Video: Mladic's Genocide Trial Under Way
Court Records Detail Zimmerman Injuries
Local Community Prepares for G8 Summit
New Guidelines for US Nuclear Plants
The President's Hideaway Welcomes World Leaders
Fuzzy Resumes: A Look at Leaders Undone
