In 1991, Anita Hill testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee about her experiences working with then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas. Her allegations of sexual harassment against Thomas sparked a national conversation about workplace harassment and gender equality that continues to this day.
Born in Oklahoma in 1956, Hill earned degrees from Oklahoma State University and Yale Law School before beginning her career as an attorney specializing in civil rights law. In 1981, she began teaching at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, where she became one of the school’s first tenured Black professors.
In 1991, Hill was called to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee after being subpoenaed by members who were considering Thomas’ nomination to the Supreme Court. During her testimony, Hill detailed numerous instances of sexual harassment by Thomas while she worked for him at both the Department of Education and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She described inappropriate comments he made about pornography and his own sexual prowess, as well as graphic descriptions of pornographic films he had watched.
Thomas denied all allegations made by Hill during his confirmation hearing and labeled them a “high-tech lynching.” Nevertheless, despite protests from women’s groups across the country who supported Hill’s claims, Thomas was confirmed to the Supreme Court by a vote of 52-48.
After leaving her position at the EEOC due to what she said was retaliation for coming forward with her claims against Thomas, Hill returned to teaching and continued to work on issues related to civil rights and gender equality throughout her career. She has also served on several commissions related to these topics and has written books including Speaking Truth To Power (1997) which chronicles how speaking truth can change history; Reimagining Equality: Stories Of Gender Race And Finding Home (2011); With Liberty And Justice For All: The Fight For Women’s Rights And Civil Rights Leadership From 1968 To The Present (2021).
Hill’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee was a watershed moment for many women who had experienced workplace harassment and discrimination. It provoked national discussion about the pervasive problem of sexual harassment in American workplaces and led to the formation of organizations such as the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, which provides support and resources to survivors.
Today, Hill continues to advocate for gender equality and social justice through her work as an author, speaker, and professor. Her legacy is one that has inspired countless women to speak out against harassment and fight for their rights in all areas of life.