Designer David Rockwell is among six trustees that have stepped down to protest Caroline Baumann's resignation as director of the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum after it was reported her departure followed an investigation into her wedding.
The six trustees have argued they should have been consulted before it was decided Baumann should resign on 7 February, according to The New York Times. She is reported to have stepped down following an investigation into her conduct in acquiring the wedding dress and venue for her 2018 wedding.
"We all serve on the board because we share the principles of the institution and the values of its leadership," Rockwell said in his letter of resignation, according to the New York Times. "I cannot in good conscience continue on the board given how Caroline's dismissal was handled." Baumann reportedly resigned from Cooper Hewitt after wedding investigation
The five board members that join Rockwell include RadicalMedia chief executive Jon Kamen, Neuberger Berman Foundation founder Francine S Kittredge, entrepreneur Avi N Reichental, author Kurt Andersen and philanthropist Judy Francis Zankel.
According to the New York Times report, Zankel questioned whether the investigation was sexist in her resignation letter to the New York museum. "Can you imagine all this brouhaha about a dress and a wedding directed toward a man in the same position"" she asked. "I think not."
Investigation focused on ...