When the first stories came out, I reserved judgement. We all know that anyone can be the victim of a lie. But then we heard more, from other women. And today, I heard a woman speak. Regardless of who her attorney is, her story has the ring of truth. And you don't want to take questions, Mr. Cain? I have questions. And a story that is all too common
What set me off today was a woman who called into a radio program, herself the victim of harassment. She told her story, but at the end said she never believed Anita Hill. The reason? Because Ms. Hill was a lawyer, and she would have filed a complaint. Because Ms. Hill didn't file a complaint at the time, the caller claimed, it couldn't be true. I didn't exactly have a flashback, but I know how false that presumption is.
To make sense of this, you need to know that I am a lawyer, and all I ever did, all I ever wanted to do, was practice labor and employment law. I knew what sexual harassment was, I dealt with the EEOC and the DFEH all the time. I knew who to call, I knew what to do. But I didn't.
A few years out of law school, I was working at a major firm in the Bay Area. As a labor attorney, I worked with a number of attorneys who had clients with employment issues. It was almost amusing when one of the partners grabbed my ass at a firm retreat. He was a fool, and had been drinking, and I just put it down to him being a jerk. I didn't say a word at work, but did tell my SO and a few friends. "What an asshole," and that was it.
But that wasn't the end of it. He started specifically requesting that I be assigned to do work for his clients. I was leery, but just did what I did. And then, a few months later, coming back from a meeting, he physically grabbed me in the elevator and kissed me. It was disgusting, both physically and emotionally. Although hard to explain, what he did was not just a physical affront, it also undermined my confidence as a professional. Was THAT all I was?
And so I learned to keep my files stacked high, and say that I was far too busy to help with his clients. Other than that, I did nothing except update my resume.
I didn't file a complaint, didn't do what I have counseled so many others to do. I left the firm a year later, and never looked back. At the time I left, I did tell the managing partner, because I worried that it would happen to someone else following in my footsteps.
My story is true. The fact that I didn't file a complaint makes it no less true. I am sure that almost every woman has a similar tale to tell, many if not most worse than mine.
So, Mr. Cain, I have a question. I know you may not want to answer it, as you are so busy. But I really do have a question or two.