Sir/Madam, whatever you are:
I was told two different times that I “need not apply” for certain jobs/promotions. Once because my boss told me he “had to choose a woman”, and once because another boss told me “we have to encourage the young guys” to stick with the company, and he was going to give it to someone with only 1/4 of my experience.
Among my many accomplishments, I have earned the highest award given in a Fortune 100 company. If you call that mediocre, then you, sir/madam, are the idiot.
Thank you for that contribution - and sorry that the furtherance of The Narrative denied you your well-earned rewards.
I bet something similar has happen to almost anyone who's spent time in corporate America. It's just part of the deal.
When it happened did you say, "well, that's it. I can never succeed in this industry (banking for Adams) because of my sex or my age so I'm giving up"? Or did you look around and figure out how to be successful where you were?
I don't particularly have a problem with Adams but him playing the victim in a business where white men are well represented seems weak.
I have earned the highest award given in a Fortune 100 company. If you call that mediocre, then you, sir/madam, are the idiot.
Congratulations. Sounds like you stuck with it.