On this day in 1991, law professor Anita Hill appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee and delivered testimony that reshaped America’s understanding of sexual harassment.
Under oath, she testified that then–Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas had subjected her to inappropriate comments and unwanted behavior while supervising her at two federal agencies.
The live broadcast brought the issue into millions of homes and forced a national conversation about workplace misconduct, gender, and power.
All 14 senators on the committee — all men — questioned Hill skeptically, and some accused her of political motives.
Thomas denied the allegations and called the process a “high-tech lynching.”
He was ultimately confirmed by a narrow 52-48 vote.
Hill’s courage ignited public awareness, inspired the “Year of the Woman” in 1992, strengthened workplace harassment laws, and helped pave the way for the #MeToo movement.
Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Clay Cane. Follow @claycane & @aurnonline for more.
