Directly after the jury announced its final verdict in Ellen Pao Vs. Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, in which it ruled against all four of Pao’s claims of gender discrimination and retaliation, Pao held a very short press conference at San Francisco’s Superior Court.
Flanked by her lawyers Alan Exelrod and Therese Lawless, Pao read a short statement. Embedded above is video (amateur video shot on my cellphone, that is) and transcribed below are her comments in full:
“I want to thank my family and my friends for your love and support during this very challenging time. I’m grateful to my legal team for getting me a day in court, and to everyone around the world, male and female, who have reached out to express support in so many different ways, and to tell me that my story is their story too, and their gratefulness to me for telling my story. I have told my story, and thousands of people have heard it.
If I’ve helped to level the playing field for women and minorities in venture capital, then the battle was worth it. Now’s the time for me to get back to my career, to my family, and to my friends. Thank you all very much.”
After reading the statement, Pao demurred from answering additional questions being shouted out by the assembled press. Along with her lawyers, she swiftly headed toward the building’s elevators. There’s no word at the moment on whether she will appeal the ruling.
Pao also Tweeted a series of messages:
