
I followed these hearings very closely. Any woman who has even been the victim of sexual harassment immediately recognized the truth in what Professor Hill had to say. That she is still being vilified, 16 years later, speaks to how greatly she was feared – by Judge Thomas, Senator’s Specter and Hatch ( her chief inquisitors) and all those neocon cabbalists who wish to bury anyone who dares stand up to defend their rights. As Judge Thomas has seen fit to throw open the doors on this incident – I think it only fair we hear from Professor Hill herself. I also want to make clear that I believed her then and I believe her now.
Opening Statement:
Sexual Harassment Hearings
Concerning Judge Clarence Thomas
by Anita Hill
Former Law Professor at the University of Oklahoma
Testimony in the Thomas hearings from Washington, D.C. on Friday afternoon, October 11, 1991
Mr. Chairman, Senator Thurmond, members of the committee, my name is Anita F. Hill, and I am a professor of law at the University of Oklahoma. I was born on a farm in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, in 1956. I am the youngest of 13 children. I had my early education in Okmulgee County. My father, Albert Hill, is a farmer in that area. My mother's name is Irma Hill. She is also a farmer and a housewife.
My childhood was one of a lot of hard work and not much money, but it was one of solid family affection, as represented by my parents. I was reared in a religious atmosphere in the Baptist faith, and I have been a member of the Antioch Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, since 1983. It is a very warm part of my life at the present time.
For my undergraduate work, I went to Oklahoma State University and graduated from there in 1977. I am attaching to this statement a copy of my resume for further details of my education.
I graduated from the university with academic honors and proceeded to the Yale Law School, where I received my JD degree in 1980. Upon graduation from law school, I became a practicing lawyer with the Washington, DC, firm of Ward, Hardraker, and Ross.
In 1981, I was introduced to now Judge Thomas by a mutual friend. Judge Thomas told me that he was anticipating a political appointment, and he asked if I would be interested in working with him. He was, in fact, appointed as Assistant Secretary of Education for Civil Rights. After he had taken that post, he asked if I would become his assistant, and I accepted that position.
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