Well, of course it was a very trying time for me, and fortunately I had a lot of people who were supportive. A lot of people who were writing and calling and saying they were praying for me. Some people sent me Scripture, and that helped.

In July of 1983, I left Washington, DC area and have had minimal contact with Judge Clarence Thomas since

But the issue of sexual harassment is not the end of it. There are other issues - political issues, gender issues - that people need to be educated about.

I thought that by saying no and explaining my reasons my employer would abandon his social suggestions. However, to my regret, in the following few weeks, he continued to ask me out on several occasions

I am really proud to be a part in whatever way of women becoming active in the political scene. I think it was the first time that people came to terms with the reality of what it meant to have a Senate made up of 98 men and two women.

For my undergraduate work, I went to Oklahoma State University and graduated from there in 1977

One of the things I was taught in law school is that I'd never be able to think the same again - that being a lawyer is something that's part of who I am as an individual now.