Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

West Virginia woman who called Michelle Obama an 'ape in heels' has been fired

 Pamela Taylor has been removed from her position in Clay

Justin Carissimo
New York
Tuesday 27 December 2016 17:20 EST
Former White House photographer says Michelle Obama taught her to turn challenges into strengths rather than weaknesses
Former White House photographer says Michelle Obama taught her to turn challenges into strengths rather than weaknesses (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Pamela Taylor, director of the Clay County Development Corp in Clay, West Virginia, has been fired for calling First Lady Michelle Obama an “ape in heels” last month, state officials announced Tuesday.

Taylor resigned from her post back in November but she was quietly reinstated last month. The controversy prompted the state to review its contracts with the nonprofit that provides services to elderly residents, Reuters reports.

“Following the state’s request for specific assurances that the CCDC is following anti-discrimination policies, we have been assured that Pamela Taylor has been removed from her position as CCDC director,” Democratic Governor Earl Ray Tomblin’s office said in a statement.

The racist post in question also praised Melania Trump following her husband Donald Trump’s election win in November. "It will be refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified first lady back in the White House,” Taylor wrote on Facebook. “I'm tired of seeing an ape in heels.”

Last month, an online petition calling for the dismissal of both officials received more than 200,000 signatures.

The town’s mayor, Beverly Whaling, resigned after praising the aforementioned Facebook post, saying, "Just made my day Pam."

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in