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LA PLUME — Anita Hill delivered an hour-long speech Friday night at Keystone College, discussing the relevance of her “encounter with history” nearly 24 years ago and how the topics of gender equality, sexual harassment and race relations are still hot-button issues today.
Hill, best known for here 1991 testimony during the Supreme Court nomination hearings of Clarence Thomas, was appearing as part of “The Gathering,” a three-day long symposium on creativity and imagination hosted by the college. The event concludes Sunday.
“If you told me 24 years ago that I would be here and still relevant, still speaking about these events … I don’t think I would have believed you,” Hill told the crowd at Keystone College. “But life goes on – and mine certainly has gone on. The struggle continues, but I am so glad you’re part of it.”
Hill is now a professor of social policy, law and women’s studies and Brandeis University and author of the book, “Speaking Truth to Power.”
Born as the youngest of 13 children in rural Oklahoma, Hill worked hard throughout her early life to earn a spot at Yale Law School, eventually working her way to positions in Washington, D.C., and at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
During her time at the EEOC, Hill worked in close quarters with Thomas. When Thomas was nominated to the Supreme Court, Hill asked to testify. She told the Senate that she and other female employees were subject to obscene, grievous and unrelenting sexual harassment from Thomas.
“After much internal struggle and consideration, I decided to agree to publicly testify,” she said. “I wanted to do it in a way that would not become part of a political circus.
“I have a deep respect for the court – not only as a judicial body, nor just as a professional respect – I have a personal respect for the power and authority of the Supreme Court. However, I had absolutely no ambition to testify at a judiciary hearing about an appointment that wasn’t my own … that definitely was not on my bucket list.”
Hill moved the crowd with her tales of abuse she endured from the public as a result of her decision to speak out.
“Although there have been regulations since the 1970s on the books in regards to the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace, until late 1991, the odds of a woman winning a lawsuit for that were a long shot,” said Hill.
“Even then, for all intents and purposes at the time, I lost. Thomas was appointed, he won. Yet the public didn’t seem to receive that memo – they behaved as though they had to battle me.”
Toward the end of her talk, Hill had an open question-and-answer session with the audience members, tackling hot-button issues, such as the Charleston shootings and the state of gender and race equality in America today.
The crowd was inspired and excited at the opportunity to see Hill speak in person.
“I still remember being glued to the television and being so irate at the treatment she was receiving,” said attendee Esther Friedmann of Clarks Green. “That was almost 25 years ago and to this day, the opportunity to hear her talk about it publicly is so exciting.”
“She stood up when others didn’t,” said Vivian Kelly of Waverly. “She was sensational. Gripping.”