Anita Hill comes to Chicago

• Reprints

21st Annual Glamour Women Of The Year Awards - Arrivals

Article Extras

Updated: December 23, 2011 8:00AM

P ROFESSOR ANITA HILL, who became the poster lady for putting the spotlight on sexual harassment in the workplace, will speak at the “Celebrate Illinois’ 5th Annual Jane Addams Day” event Dec. 10 at the Chicago Temple, 77 West Washington. This engagement is sponsored by the Illinois Division of the American Association of University Women and the Illinois Woman’s Press Association. She will be signing her latest book, Reimagining Equality: Stories of Gender, Race and Finding Home. The program kicks off at 10 a.m. and is free and open to the public.

Hill, now a law professor at Brandeis University, in Oct. 1991, accused Supreme Court Justice nominee Clarence Thomas of sexually harassing her when he was the head of the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission and she was working with him. She accused him of inappropriate discussions of sexual acts, a pubic hair on a Coke can, and porno films when she refused to date him. Of course, the Senate Judiciary Committee didn’t believe her because Thomas was confirmed.

And most recently, embattled Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain, who is also under fire with allegations of sexual harassment from four women, made a joke about Hill during a campaign stop in Kalamazoo, Mich. He said, “We walked into this room and one of my supporters said, ‘Anita Hill was trying to contact you’,” and my response was, ‘Is she going to endorse me?’” Cain said.

Cain needs to shut up and call it a day!

JUST IN: THE FIRST “Obama Classic Basketball Game!” will take place in Washington, D.C., Dec. 12. Over 20 retired and current NBA players will play in a benefit for the Obama Victory Fund. The players who have confirmed so far include Carmelo Anthony, Patrick Ewing, Reggie Miller, Quentin Richardson, Derek Fisher, Alonzo Mourning, Juwan Howard, Jerry Stackhouse, and representing the lady ballers, Cheryl Miller and Tina Thompson. Tickets are $100-$5,000 for courtside seats.

CONGRATS TO Chicago’s Ashley Hooks, 25, on being crowned Miss Illinois USA — beating out over 80 contestants Sunday at the Hyatt McCormick Hotel. Hooks, who is a State of Illinois employee, will compete in the Miss USA Pageant next year in Vegas. Her parents are Judge William and Debra Hooks.THE BOOK REPORT:

Chicago’s Ginny Clarke, a career expert, celebrates the release of her first book Career Mapping . . . now available on Amazon . . . Hockey great Stan Mikita signs his Forever a Blackhawk at the Bookstall in Winnetka Tuesday. . . . CNN’s Ali Velshi and Christine Romans sign their new book How to Speak Money at Public Chicago Dec. 16.

CHI TOWN NEWS: Earl Jones, president of Clear Channel Radio Chicago, speaks Tuesday at the Rotary One luncheon at the Union League Club . . . Guy Fieri, host of the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” features Panozzo’s Italian Market on Nov. 28 . . . Rabbi Barry Axler celebrated his 65th birthday with friends, including singing with the Drifters . . . The Carter Russells hosts a reception for the opening of “Memphis” Tuesday at the Cadillac Palace.

THE EAT BEAT: The Bears’ Brian Urlacher and his brother, Casey, dined at Gibsons . . . The Chargers Tommie Harris ate at the Rosebud Theater District . . . The Bears J’Marcus Webb, publicist Kendall Cooper, Les Coney and the Padres Clayton Richard dined separately at Harry Caray’s.

A VETERANS ALERT: Free Turkey dinners for area veterans will be provided by the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition along with the RTW Vet Center on Thanksiving Day. Vets will feast on delicious food generously donated by Gibsons Bar and Steakhouse at PUSH from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 930 E. 50th Street, and then at the Center, 5536 South King Drive, 3 p.m.- 6 p.m. So our precious veterans and their families will be eating hearty for sure (and anyone else in need).

FORMER TV “Bachelorette” Ali Fedotowsky and Roberto Martinez won’t be getting married . . . AMA achievement award winner Katy Perry isn’t pregnant and didn’t thank her husband, Russell Brand, in her acceptance speech Sunday.

SENSATIONAL R&B ARTIST Charlie Wilson and the fabulous Chrisette Michele in concert at the Arie Crown theater Dec. 3. The evening is presented by Chicago Centre Stage and Accustomed Life Entertainment.

HAVING A BIRTHDAY: Billie Jean King and Howard Sudberry . . . On Wednesday: Radio’s Tom Joyner and U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush.Well, that’s Stella in the City!