Articles & Essays
Howard University Human & Civil Rights Law Review, Spring 2025
MARY B. TREVOR & CYNTHIA BEMIS ABRAMS Power Plays: Women and Progressive Television Battle Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment in the Twentieth Century
INTRODUCTION:
This law review article delves into the evolution of sexual harassment laws and cultural perceptions from the twentieth century. It focuses on the interplay between legal advancements and media representation. Our work sheds light on how legal frameworks and cultural narratives have shaped the understanding and handling of sexual harassment. The form of harassment we focus on is quid pro quo.
The article parallels this material with analyses of prime-time television shows that presented sexual harassment stories. We recap 22 episodes, originally airing 1967-1999 and still available for viewing today. The episodes reflected the rapid cultural changes as more women entered the workplace or attended college.
These plots were often from highly regarded series, and depicted typical quid pro quo situations. In their day, that usually meant a powerful white man and a white woman subordinate or student. As told from the woman’s perspective, a man in a power position (supervisor or professor) demands intimacy from a woman employee. The offer is in exchange for improved job status or to avoid demotion or job loss, or a good grade.
Coming Soon from Bloomsbury Press
Co-written by Mary B. Trevor, this is a chapter within a book about Susan Harris, the genius show runner behind TV series Soap, Empty Nest and The Golden Girls. We examine the subtle impact of the The Golden Girls episode "Adult Education." The article focuses on the four main characters’ discussions on workplace and educational sexual harassment. Main character Blanche encounters a quid pro quo harassment situation. The saucy Southern belle is propositioned by her professor in exchange for a better grade.
Mary B. Trevor
Co-Author
Mary is a long-time friend who collaborated with Cynthia in early stages of developing the book, but along the way led the writing and editing of the Howard University Human and Civil Rights Law Review article. Mary is an emerita professor of law at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, MN, a freelance editor, and a writer.