About this episode

Cynthia Bemis Abrams explores how television has influenced public understanding of sexual harassment and the feminist movements over the decades.

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams connects the dots between TV, feminism, and workplace protections in this powerful episode inspired by her law review article, co-authored with legal scholar Mary Trevor. Their work explores how decades of television shaped public understanding of sexual harassment, particularly the form known as quid pro quo. From prime-time depictions to real-life milestones like Anita Hill's Senate testimony, Cynthia walks us through the TV, cultural and legal shifts that defined the transition from Second to Third Wave Feminist movement. The law review article— Power Plays: Women and Progressive Television Battle Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment in the 20th Century —was published in 2025 by the Howard University Human and Civil Rights Law Review. 🔗 Request the article PDF or connect with Cynthia: Newsletter: https://tvherstory.com Podcast Archive: https://tvherstory.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/advancedtvherstory/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cynthiabemisabrams.bsky.social Website: https://cynthiabemisabrams.com Email: cynthia@cynthiabemisabrams.com 🔗 Related ATH Episodes 2.7 – I Believe Anita Hill: The 1991 Hearings and Their Legacy…

More episodes of Advanced TV Herstory

• Epstein Vibes: Unpacking 90s Sitcoms & Cultural Shifts · April 15, 2026 · 30 min
• MeTV Exec Neal Sabin on Classic & Comfort Television · March 16, 2026 · 45 min
• Minnesota's TV Legacy: Women, News & Cultural Power · February 6, 2026 · 18 min
• Cable TV Profiles Regina Jones, Iconic "Soul" Founder · January 20, 2026 · 23 min
• The Donna Reed Show: Feminism, Legacy & Innovation · January 2, 2026 · 41 min
• Dr. Quinn Creator Beth Sullivan on Feminist Storytelling · December 7, 2025 · 45 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Advanced TV Herstory podcast page.