Anita Hill

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Details

Date of Birth:
June 30, 1956
Hometown:
Lone Tee

Bio:
Anita Hill (born Anita Faye Hill in Lone Tee, Oklahoma on June 30, 1956]) is an American attorney, serving as a professor at the University Professor of Social Policy, Law, and Women’s Studies at Brandeis University in Massachusetts. After obtaining her degree from Yale Law School in 1980 and being admitted to the District of Columbia bar that same year, Anita began her law career in Washington D.C.. In 1981, she became the an attorney advisor to Clarence Thomas, who was then the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. When Clarence Thomas was appointed to Chairman of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EOCC) , Anita continued on as his assistant until leaving her position the following year. Anita went on to become a national figure in 1991 after testifying against her her former supervisor, Clarence Thomas in a controversial case. But even after, Anita has served in counseling positions at major universities, including University of California, Berkley, and many articles for The New York Times and Newsweek. Her legacy in pop culture has also inspired the documentary Anita, by director, Freida Lee Mock and a 1994 episode of Law & Order. Kerry Washington will also portray Anita in the upcoming HBO film, Confirmation.

Best Known For:
Anita Hill is best known for her controversy with Clarence Thomas. After George W. Bush nominated Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court in 1991, an interview between Anita and the FBI concerning sexual assault allegations leaked to the public. The interview opened a case against Justice Thomas, where Anita was called to testify. Her testimony revealed that during her two years of employment under his supervision, the then, Circuit Judge asked her out several times. After she refused, she claimed that he made suggestive remarks during conversations.

Personal Life:
Aside from Anita’s many high-ranked positions, she has also received a number of awards. In 2008, she was awarded the Louis P. and Evelyn Smith First Amendment award, and served on the Board of Trustees for Southern Vermont College.