This is the problem with boards, organizations, etc., generally - even very educated and well-trained people often do not communicate clearly, or will be dismissive of ideas that do not track with their own beliefs (and get upset when others do the same to them, i.e., our friend Pam here).  

Are the members who made these comments just generally acerbic to everyone, or are they attacking the subject of the article specifically because of her race and gender?  Without quotes, as well as additional context like tone of voice, patterns of comments and associated actions, etc., it's hard to say.  

I tend to err on the side of believing members of marginalized groups when they say they are being personally marginalized, because history tends to bear that pattern out, but there needs to be a lot more information here for us as readers and community members to know how to formulate an appropriate response.