Dolezal resigns from HREI

COEUR d'ALENE - Rachel Dolezal won't be working at the Human Rights Education Institute any longer.

Dolezal told The Press Monday that she resigned from the institute because she was the target of discrimination, although she would not say what kind.

"I don't want to comment on that at this time, just that it's a justice issue," Dolezal said. "It's about fairness and equity."

Dolezal has been the institute's director of education since 2008.

Marilyn Muehlbach, president of the Human Rights Education Institute's board, said she was surprised to hear the charge.

"Discrimination was never discussed," Muehlbach said. "This is the first we've even heard the word used by her in anything related to her employment."

The board accepted Dolezal's resignation, Muehlbach said, and wishes her well.

"She did many wonderful things for the HREI, built some great programs," Muehlbach said.

Dolezal said she submitted a written proposal to the Human Rights Education Institute's board last week suggesting they give her compensation and authority equivalent to that of the executive director's position. She gave the board three days to make a decision, and offered her two weeks' notice if they did not accept her proposal.

Muehlbach wouldn't discuss the proposal, but said, "She made some demands that we weren't able to accept."

Two weeks ago the board hired Dan Lepow, a Philadelphia native who has worked in nonprofit and community organization fundraising for 25 years, to fill a newly created director of development position.

The board decided last week to shorten the title to just "executive director."

"We needed someone with a background in fundraising and oversight," Muehlbach said.

Lepow also worked previously as the officer for corporate social responsibility for a large bank in Philadelphia.

Although the board dropped "of development" from Lepow's title, Muehlbach said fundraising efforts will continue to be the bulk of his work.

"Rachel did not apply for that position," Muehlbach said.

Dolezal has not, at this time, initiated any legal action against the institute.

"The main thing I want people to know is that I am still 100 percent committed to the causes of human rights," Dolezal said. "I still intend to offer my time, talent and resources for those causes."