Yao denied the allegation in court papers, asserting that the museum had proper policies and procedures in place to respond to workplace harassment. She denied to The Post that the staffers had been let go in retaliation for their reports, attributing the decisions to budget pressures. While the Smithsonian searches for a replacement, the women’s history museum has appointed Melanie A. Adams, the director of the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum, as interim director. The women’s history museum’s 18 staff members were informed of Yao’s decision on Wednesday, St. Thomas said. Establishing the museum, which is expected to open in roughly 10 years, was estimated to cost about $375 million between construction and the creation of exhibits.

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Persons: Yao, Melanie A, Adams, Thomas Organizations: Smithsonian, Washington Post, Museum of, Anacostia Community Museum Locations: America, Anacostia, St