A New York City-based employee of Girl Scouts of the USA has filed a lawsuit accusing her supervisor of attempting to force her out of her job after she announced her pregnancy. Munirah Samuel, 33, who began working for the organization as a customer experience analyst in November 2025, claims her supervisor, Catherine Contrera, shifted from supportive to hostile after learning Samuel was pregnant in February 2026.
According to the lawsuit, filed on August 25 in Manhattan Supreme Court, Contrera, a senior manager of customer service experience, initially expressed congratulatory sentiments and stated she wanted Samuel to return after maternity leave. However, during Samuel's midyear review in April, Contrera allegedly began expressing dissatisfaction with her performance, a stark contrast to previous positive feedback.
Samuel alleges that Contrera accused her of working too slowly, despite her work performance statistics showing she resolved customer service cases well within the allotted time. When Samuel attempted to defend her performance, she claims Contrera labeled her as "combative." The lawsuit contends that the "sudden emergence of these manufactured concerns—immediately after [Samuel]’s pregnancy became known—reflects Contrera’s discriminatory animus."
In the weeks following the review, Samuel claims Contrera scrutinized minor mistakes and reprimanded her for using work methods she had previously been approved to use, while other employees engaged in similar practices were not treated the same. Contrera allegedly inquired about Samuel's maternity leave plans in June, and Samuel indicated she intended to take leave in August. Shortly thereafter, on June 30, Samuel received a "final warning" regarding her performance.
Samuel reportedly raised her concerns to Erica Hybarger, a senior director at Girl Scouts of the USA. According to the lawsuit, Hybarger acknowledged that Contrera was being "nit-picky" and agreed that the claims of Samuel underperforming were unfounded. Hybarger allegedly told Samuel that it "would not be surprising" if she were fired.
Samuel's attorney, John Scola, stated that the shift in treatment, from positive feedback to a final warning, occurred immediately after the supervisor was notified of Samuel's pregnancy. Girl Scouts of the USA, Contrera, and Hybarger did not respond to requests for comment. Samuel is seeking unspecified monetary damages in the lawsuit. She remains employed by the organization.