NAACP calls for teacher who allegedly posted about 'Section 8 Barbie' on Facebook to be reprimanded

Lisa Sowerby is accused of posting disparaging pictures on her Facebook page. Now, the NAACP is calling for local teacher Lisa Sowerby to be reprimanded.

In January, Action News Jax first reported on the posts, which included calling a doll with African-American babies a "Section 8 Barbie". The civil rights group is now calling for Sowerby, who teaches at FACES Pre-K Center, to face some real repercussions.

The NAACP is stepping in, meeting with school board members in Glynn County after parents say nothing has been done to punish Sowerby for her alleged social media posts.

The post featured a photo of a Barbie doll with a baby bump with a caption that read "Limited Edition Section 8 Barbie.”

The Glynn County School System said she's still under contract and hasn't been fired. One parent who didn't want to be identified because her daughter goes to FACES said she hopes the teacher doesn't come back.

“I wouldn't want that mindframe around my child at all,” the parent said.

The NAACP met with school board chair Mike Hulsey last week to talk about the incident and see why no action has been taken.

“It's a shame that it had to go that far, it should've been an issue handled by the school immediately once the incident occurred,” the parent said.

School board members couldn't meet with us in person to talk about the issue, but tell us there is an internal investigation being done.

The school system said Sowerby claims she didn’t make these posts to her page.

“From my understanding, she hasn't been back on the school grounds, but parents who have children in her class, I'm sure they wouldn't want her back,” the parent told us.

On Jan. 29, law firm Williams Oinonen LLC told Action News Jax it represents Sowerby and released the following statement on her behalf:

"Ms. Sowerby refutes the allegations of racism made against her and wants to emphasize that she opposes racial discrimination and prejudice in all forms and is committed to the respect, dignity, and equality of all persons, especially the young children whose lives she is entrusted with."

Sowerby's lawyer released a statement:

"Our law firm Williams Oinonen LLC represents Lisa Sowerby. We are civil rights lawyers who represent victims of discrimination, African Americans who have been victims of police shootings, as well as educators throughout the state of Georgia.

"Ms. Sowerby opposes racial discrimination and prejudice in all forms and is committed to the respect, dignity, and equality of all persons, especially the young children whose lives she is entrusted with. She absolutely refutes the allegations of racism made against her. Because of the threats to her physical safety that have affected her health, she has been forced to go out on medical leave. 

"Ms. Sowerby thoroughly disputes the multiple defamatory facts made against her from individuals who have accused her of making racist postings on Facebook. Her good name and professional reputation have been irreparably damaged. As a result of this witch hunt, Ms. Sowerby has been a victim of attempted assault and repeated threats to her physical safety while in the classroom to the point where police officers had to be on guard while she attended to parent teacher conferences. 

"To reiterate, Ms. Sowerby refutes the defamatory allegations made against her character and professional reputation. She adamantly opposes and  condemns racial discrimination of any kind. She supports the mission of the NAACP to respect the rights of all persons and to eliminate discrimination. She has dedicated her life to teaching young children and has always made the effort to instill values for the respect, dignity, and equality of all persons. 

"The family of Ms. Sowerby asks that you respect their request for privacy during her period of medical leave."

Cox Media Group