This is a new category designed to recognize women in America who display FW traits and are doing their part now to make America a better place for all of us.
For the inaugural presentation of this award, I am choosing someone who made a HUGE impact in American society 18 years ago—which is not exactly ‘now.’ But since she has continued to shine in her career as a college professor—and because I have enormous respect for her—and because it’s my blog, I’m bending the rules a bit.
I’m pleased to say the FW Now Award goes to Prof. ANITA HILL. Whoo-hoo!
Anita Hill told the TRUTH about being sexually harrassed. She deserves an apology.
If I had to pick one word to describe Prof. Hill, I’d choose BRAVE. Other choices for descriptions: honest, dignified, razor-sharp intelligence, quiet elegance, honor-bound.
I had never heard of Anita Hill until the notorious Supreme Court confirmation hearings in 1991. Ms. Hill squared off against the Shabby Nominee to be a Justice—who was also her previous supervisor. She felt it was her duty (her conscious made her do it!) to tell the truth about how this man conducted himself in the workplace (a federal government position). She felt it more important for America to know about the nominee’s sexually harassing behavior than to worry about her own image and comfort zone. She had to know she was going to be vilified by some members of Congress. She testified anyway.
Despite the ugly insinuations and character-slamming nature of the questions thrown at her by the ugliest members of the U.S. Senate, Ms. Hill never lost her cool. She refused to be humiliated by the Senators’ questions. She was maligned—up close and personal—on Capital Hill in front of Congress, in the press, and in our living rooms.
After her testimony, Shabby Nominee called her a liar—of course. It would have been career-ending to admit he had done the things he was accused of. The guy would have been lucky to have been confirmed as a Porn Theatre Soda Pop Server. (Better watch that Coke can.) The hearings quickly became a he said-she said affair. At the time of these hearings a larger percentage of America was on the side of SN.
I believed Ms. Hill, unequivocally. As far as SN was concerned, my impression was ‘me thinks he dost protest too much.’ That “high-tech lynching” comment. Oh brother. It was a desperate ploy by a scared puny excuse of a man.
I remember exactly where I was when I watched the Senate hearings on TV—sitting on my bed in a creepy apartment. I had recently moved from the DC area back to CA. After working in Washington for four years, I was well aware of the shenanigans in the Kingdom of Blowhards that town.
My sister was also watching the hearings on TV at her house. She called me. For hours we each held the phone to our ears, occasionally commenting, occasionally screaming at the TV in disgust at the hostility directed toward Ms. Hill. We could not believe the guts it took for Ms. Hill to speak truth to power and defend herself.
By far the worst inquisitioner was the senator from PA. He totally grossed us out! We could not believe his line of questioning. He reveled in the sordid nature of the testimony as pomposity oozed from every pore.
My sister made a comment about this senator something to the effect that if he were the only man left on the planet, the entire female population would instantly turn gay.
I said that if I were stranded on a deserted island with him, I’d first try to beat him up, and second, I’d take my chances swimming with the sharks back to the mainland. And when I’d made it back to civilization, I’d say, “Nope, nobody on that island but me.”
In the end, SN was confirmed and Anita Hill was sent packing. But not before she widely cranked open the door to the concept and legal ramifications of sexual harassment in the workplace. That alone vastly improved working conditions across America.
The weird thing about SN is that he’s turned out not to be the Big Talker he was during the confirmation hearings. Instead, he’s a mute on the Court. He doesn’t speak during the cases! Why do you suppose that is? I think he is too busy tamping out the flames under his robe—cuz his pants are on fire. He’s afraid he’ll say something that will cause people to say, “Hey, that Anita Hill was right.”
And yes, she was.
Prof. Hill, it is my honor to present to you this trophy. You deserve it! Thanks for all you have done for workers in America.
