JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville man is now part of a living history exhibit at the Ritz Theatre & Museum.
It showcases him and his late wife, Gene Arline, who lost her job as a teacher back in the 1970s, as she was fighting tuberculosis. The couple fought back by suing the Nassau County School Board and they eventually won, years later.
It was a fight neither Charles or Gene signed up for, but Charles said he would do anything for his wife. Even if it meant taking a fight all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. To Charles, he did what any husband should do: be there for his family.
"It was hard," Arline said. "One thing I asked, "Can I keep my family together and stay under one roof?"
In 1978, Gene Arline was an elementary school teacher in Nassau County. She relapsed as soon as she found out her tuberculosis was active. At first, the Nassau County School Board suspended her with pay. However, Gene was let go 1979. To Charles, it was a 'huge blow' to the family.
"Being fired, first of all, its bad," Charles explained. "But when somebody fires you because of your medical situation, that's even worse because it's exposed to everybody."
Both Charles and Gene did not believe the firing was fair. In response, they filed a lawsuit against the school board. Their argument: Gene's infection made her a handicapped individual. Thus, violating the Rehabilitation Act. One of the reasons why Charles said he fought back is because "It affects everybody."
The Arlines would eventually win their lawsuit. Their story is featured as an exhibit at the Ritz Theatre. The exhibit includes audio snippets from the actual U.S. Supreme Court. To Charles, it's another way to honor his late wife's memory.
"I just did what I was supposed to do, that's all," Charles said.