Hill, Anita (1956–)
Hill, Anita (1956–)
American lawyer, educator, author and activist. Born Anita Faye Hill, July 30, 1956, in Lone Tree, Oklahoma; youngest of 13 children; Oklahoma State University, BA (1977); Yale University, JD (1980).
Lawyer who became a focal point for growing awareness about sexual harassment in the workplace, began practicing law with Washington, DC, firm of Ward, Hardraker and Ross; became assistant to Clarence Thomas at US Department of Education (1981), then joined his legal staff upon his appointment as chair of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC); became law professor at Oral Roberts University (1983), then at University of Oklahoma College of Law; intensely private, was catapulted into public spotlight when her allegations of sexual harassment against Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas were leaked during Senate confirmation hearings; called to testify before congress, alleged that Thomas had made unwelcome sexual overtures and crudely explicit remarks while supervising her at EEOC, allegations which were denied by Thomas (1991); delivered compelling testimony which was ignored; went on to prominence as speaker, researcher and writer on race and gender issues in workplace environments; joined faculty of Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University (1997); with Emma Coleman Jordan, edited Race, Gender and Power in America (1995)
See also memoir, Speaking Truth to Power (Anchor, 1998).