Catharine MacKinnon
Catharine MacKinnon
Full Name and Common Aliases
Catharine A. MacKinnon is a prominent American lawyer, feminist theorist, and academic.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on October 12, 1946 (age 77), in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
Nationality and Profession(s)
MacKinnon holds dual citizenship of the United States and Canada. Her profession spans law, academia, and advocacy, with a focus on feminist legal theory and policy.
Early Life and Background
Catharine MacKinnon grew up in a middle-class family in Minneapolis. Her father was a lawyer, which likely influenced her decision to pursue a career in law. She began her academic journey at the University of Minnesota, where she earned her undergraduate degree in 1968. MacKinnon then moved to Harvard Law School for her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, graduating magna cum laude in 1979.
Major Accomplishments
MacKinnon's work has had a profound impact on feminist theory and policy. Her groundbreaking research focuses on the relationship between law, power, and social change. Key accomplishments include:
Developing the Theory of Sexual Harassment: MacKinnon's 1979 paper "Sexual Harassment of Working Women" introduced the concept of sexual harassment as a form of sex discrimination. This work laid the foundation for Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1991, which prohibits workplace harassment.
Influencing International Human Rights Law: MacKinnon's advocacy has shaped international human rights law, particularly in regards to violence against women and girls. Her work has informed the development of the United Nations' Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and its Optional Protocol.
Pioneering the Concept of Trafficking: MacKinnon's research on human trafficking has been instrumental in raising awareness about this critical issue. Her work has contributed to the passage of the 2000 Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) in the United States.Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works and actions by Catharine MacKinnon include:
Sexual Harassment of Working Women (1979): A seminal paper that introduced the concept of sexual harassment as a form of sex discrimination.
Toward a Feminist Theory of the State (1989): A comprehensive work exploring the relationship between law, power, and social change from a feminist perspective.
Speeches and Testimonies: MacKinnon has delivered numerous speeches and testimonies on human rights issues, including women's rights, trafficking, and violence against women.
Impact and Legacy
Catharine MacKinnon's impact extends far beyond her academic and professional contributions. Her work has inspired a generation of feminist scholars, lawyers, and advocates worldwide. The influence of her research can be seen in policy developments, legislative changes, and ongoing efforts to address human rights issues globally.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Catharine MacKinnon is widely quoted and remembered for several reasons:
Groundbreaking Research: Her pioneering work on sexual harassment, trafficking, and violence against women has reshaped our understanding of these issues.
Influential Advocacy: MacKinnon's tireless advocacy has informed policy developments at the national and international levels.
* Inspiring Leadership: As a role model for feminist scholars and advocates, her work continues to inspire new generations of leaders in this field.
Quotes by Catharine MacKinnon
Catharine MacKinnon's insights on:
In not having an appointment at Harvard, I’m in the company of a great many people whose work I admire tremendously, in particular women of color.
An individual’s treatment and alternatives in life may depend as much on the reputation of the group to which that person belongs as on their own merit.
It’s mainly a few elite women who benefit greatly from standing with the forces that keep women down.
Feminism is built on believing women’s accounts of sexual use and abuse by men.
What postmodernism gives us instead is a multicultural defense for male violence – a defense for it wherever it is, which in effect is a pretty universal defense.
Women are socially disadvantaged in controlling sexual access to their bodies through socialization to customs that define a woman’s body as for sexual use by men. Sexual access is regularly forced or pressured or routinized beyond denial.
It’s particularly hard to take being stabbed in the back close to home. There’s always a feeling of betrayal when people of your own group oppose you.
All sex, even consensual sex between a married couple, is an act of violence perpetrated against a woman.
Power is being able to say complete and utter nonsense and have it be believed, powerlessness is where no matter how much cogent evidence and proof one has, to not be believed.
Feminism, Socialism, and Communism are one in the same, and Socialist/Communist government is the goal of feminism.