Last week during an execution of a death-row inmate, an Alabama prison official told a journalist covering the event that her skirt was too short and her high heels violated the prison's dress code because her toes were showing.
The reporter, Ivana Hrynkiw, who is a managing producer with AL.com, had to borrowed a pair of fisherman's waders from a local television photographer and switched out of her heels for a pair of tennis shoes in her car in order to witness the execution for reporting purposes, according to AL.com.
Alabama Department of Corrections Public Information Officer Kelly Betts told Hrynkiw, 28, after she arrived at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility that her skirt was too short. However, the journalist tweeted what happened on July 29, mentioning that she's worn the skirt to cover executions in the past.
"I have worn this skirt to prior executions without incident, to work, professional events and more and I believe it is more than appropriate. At 5′10″ with my heels on, I am a tall and long-legged person," Hrynkiw tweeted. "I tried to pull my skirt to my hips to make the skirt longer, but told it was still not appropriate."
"Despite wearing a pair of waders from a man I have never met and casual tennis shoes, I continued to do my job," Hrynkiw continued. "This was an uncomfortable situation, and I felt embarrassed to have my body and my clothes questioned in front of a room of people I mostly had never met.
"I sat down, tried to stop blushing, and did my work. As women often have to do."
Kim Chandler, an Alabama-based reporter for The Associated Press, quote tweeted Hrynkiw's post and noted that she has been covering executions since 2002 and never had to have her clothing checked and approved.
"I first covered an execution in 2002, and have covered many since then. This was the first time I had to stand to have the length of my attire checked," Chandler tweeted.
Kelly Ann Scott, editor in chief and vice president of content for Alabama Media Group, which oversees AL.com, quote tweeted Hrynkiw's post as well, and said she was proud to work with her.
"I’m proud to work with @IvanaSuzette. What happened to her last night was wrong, and we will follow up with @ALCorrections. Ivana is always, always professional — and despite how she was treated, she focused first on covering an execution in #Alabama. Thank you, Ivana," Scott tweeted.
Scott said in a statement that it was "unacceptable, unequal treatment" to have Hrynkiw's attire questioned by a prison official.
"It was sexist — and would be humiliating to any female journalist,” Scott said, according to The New York Times. "I’m proud to work with Ms. Hrynkiw, who despite treatment that would rattle many of us, continued to report the story with professionalism for our audiences in Alabama."
Both AL.com and The Associated Press sent formal complaint letters on Friday to the Alabama Department of Corrections, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, and Attorney General Steve Marshall.
Julie Pace, the executive editor of The Associated Press, said in the letter that it was unacceptable to single out a female reporter for her attire. She asked Ivey's office to investigate and "ensure such behavior is not tolerated and does not occur again.
"Singling out female reporters for arbitrary clothing inspections is humiliating, discriminatory and simply unacceptable behavior toward professional journalists trying to cover one of the most serious events they are called upon to witness," Pace said in the letter.
Hrynkiw posted a follow up tweet on July 30, saying she is thankful for all of the support since sharing her story and believes "it shines a spotlight on an important issue."
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