Rice, an African American woman, was denied employment as a public health representative by the city of St. Louis for lack of a college degree. Failing to obtain relief after filing a complaint with the EEOC charging racial discrimination, she filed a lawsuit in the federal district court.

Rice took the position that the degree requirement had a disparate impact on African Americans and was invalid under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. She pointed out that blacks were only approximately 55 percent as likely as whites in the St. Louis area to have a college degree.

Testimony showed that the satisfactory performance of public health representatives required the ability to communicate with others, frequently in emotional situations, and the ability to speak and write intelligibly. There was also a risk to the public health and safety in the employment of unqualified applicants. Did Rice prevail? Explain.

Rice v. The City of St. Louis, 607 F.2d 791 (8th Cir).