Examine individual changes

'{{Infobox_Person | name = Virginia Lamp Thomas | residence = [[Virginia]] | other_names = Ginni | image = Virginia Thomas.JPG | imagesize = 194px | caption = Virginia Lamp Thomas looks on as her husband Clarence is sworn in as Supreme Court Justice | birth_name = | birth_date = | birth_place = [[United States]] | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | known = | occupation = Director, [[White House|Executive Branch]] relations | title = | salary = | term = | predecessor = | successor = | party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] | boards = | religion = [[Episcopal Church in the United States of America|Episcopalian]]<ref name="fisher" /> | spouse = [[Clarence Thomas]] | partner = | children = | relations = | website = [http://www.heritage.org/about/staff/VirginiaThomas.cfm Heritage Foundation] | footnotes = | employer = [[Heritage Foundation]] | height = | weight = }} '''Virginia "Ginni" Lamp Thomas''' (born February 23, 1957) is a consultant at the [[Heritage Foundation]], an [[American conservatism|conservative]] [[public policy]] [[Washington, D.C.]] based research institute, and the founder and president of the advocacy group Liberty Central. She is the wife of [[Supreme Court of the United States|United States Supreme Court Justice]] [[Clarence Thomas]]. She had previously participated in the controversial [[Lifespring]] training, but later became a critic of the organization. == Family == Virginia grew up in [[Omaha, Nebraska|Omaha]], [[Nebraska]].<ref name="fisher" /> Virginia and Clarence Thomas married in 1987.<ref name="atlantajournal">{{cite news | last =Staff | title =The Clarence Thomas you don't know | work =Atlanta Journal | date =July 1, 2001 }}</ref> They live in [[Virginia]].<ref>{{cite news | last = Malone | first = Julia | coauthors = Bob Dart | title = Judge Thomas: Tough, but `down to earth' Court nominee called comfortable with self | work = The Atlanta Journal | pages = A1 | date = July 4, 1991 }} </ref> == Career == Virginia Thomas received her [[Juris Doctor]] [[(J.D.)]] degree in 1983 from [[Creighton University School of Law]] and served on its Law Advisory Board from 2006 to 2007.<ref>[http://law.creighton.edu/index.aspx?p=1104 Law Advisory Board], [[Creighton University]], Law School Advisory Board 2006-07, Virginia Lamp Thomas.</ref> Thomas had worked as an attorney in [[Omaha, Nebraska]].<ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | title =Wife Who Shares His Views Now Sharing Thomas' Pain | work =Roanoke Times | publisher = | date =October 13, 1991 }}</ref> She first gained federal political experience as a congressional aide<ref name="fisher" /> and later worked as an attorney and labor relations specialist for the [[United States Chamber of Commerce]] in 1988.<ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | title =Chamber of Commerce Backs Concept of Child Care Bill | work =[[The Washington Post]] | date =February 11, 1988 }} </ref><ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | title =No More Warnings on Illegal Workers | work =Beacon Journal | date =June 1, 1988 }} </ref> While at the Chamber of Commerce, Thomas helped to lobby against the [[Family and Medical Leave Act]], arguing that it intruded into the private sector.<ref>{{cite news | last =Stanton | first =Betsy | title =Big business: Family and Medical Leave Act is a bitter pill | work =Daily News Record | date =December 10, 1987 }} </ref> In 1989, she served as manager of employee relations at the Chamber of Commerce.<ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | title =Help wanted: skilled workers for the '90s | work =Purchasing | publisher =Reed Business Information, Inc. | date =September 14, 1989 }} </ref> In 1991, Thomas was employed by the [[United States Department of Labor]],<ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | title = Thomas, a Conservative, Nominated to High Court Confirmation Fight | work =[[The Boston Globe]] | date =July 2, 1991 }} </ref> and worked in the legislative affairs office.<ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | title =Self-Made Conservative; Nominee Insists He Be Judged on Merits | work =[[The Washington Post]] | date =July 2, 1991}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | title =Drug Abuse Among Women Expected to be Major Issue | work =Lexington Herald Leader | date =September 30, 1989 }}</ref> While at the Department of Labor, Thomas argued against comparable-worth legislation which would have mandated that pay for women be equal to that of men in jobs judged to be "comparable".<ref>{{cite news | last =Carlson | first =Margaret | coauthors =Joseph J. Kane, Staci D. Kramer | title =The Supreme Court: Marching to a Different Drummer | work =[[Time Magazine]] | pages =5 | date =July 15, 1991 | url =http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,973404-5,00.html }} </ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.scu.edu/ethics/publications/iie/v3n2/comparable.html | title = Comparable Worth | author = Claire Andre | coauthors = Manuel Velasquez | publisher = Santa Clara University | accessdate = March 19, 2010 }} </ref> Virginia Thomas was with her husband during his [[United States Senate|Senate]] confirmation hearings for the [[Supreme Court of the United States]],<ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | title =Thomas Concludes Testimony | work =[[The Washington Post]] | date =September 17, 1991 }} </ref> and stood by his side when he officially thanked all his supporters after being confirmed 52 to 48 to succeed [[Thurgood Marshall|Justice Thurgood Marshall]].<ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | title =Senate Confirms Thomas by 52 to 48 To Succeed Marshall on Supreme Court | work =[[The Washington Post]] | date =October 16, 1991 }} </ref> During the confirmation hearings, some [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic senators]] had complained about Virginia Thomas' work and brought up claims of [[conflict of interest]].<ref>{{cite news | last =Toner | first =Robin | title = CONTESTING THE VOTE: POLITICAL MEMO; Day-to-Day Duels on Political Issues Have Grown Increasingly Personal | work =[[The New York Times]] | pages =Late Edition, Final, Section A, Page 26, Column 1 | publisher =[[The New York Times Company]] | date =December 13, 2000}} </ref> She later was interviewed by ''[[People Magazine]]'', where she described the difficult process her husband had faced while under the scrutiny of the Senate confirmation hearings.<ref>{{cite news | last =Corn | first =David | title =Beltway Bandits | work =[[The Nation]] | date =December 9, 1991 }} </ref> She referred to the confirmation process as a "trial by fire" for her husband.<ref>{{cite book | last =Smitherman | first =Geneva | title =African American Women Speak Out on Anita Hill-Clarence Thomas | publisher =Wayne State University Press | year =1995 | page =Page 191 | id = ISBN 0814325300}} </ref> In 1994, Thomas worked for [[United States House of Representatives|Representative]] [[Dick Armey]], as a policy analyst.<ref>{{cite book | last =Swenson | first =Michele | title =Democracy Under Assault | publisher =Sol Ventures Press | year =2005 | page =Page 98 | id = ISBN 0976678802}} </ref><ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | title = Congress: Dole Won't Block Helms | work =[[Rocky Mountain News]] | date =November 24, 1994 }} </ref> Conflict of interest issues were also raised in 2000, when Thomas worked for the Heritage Foundation, collecting résumés for potential presidential appointments in the [[George W. Bush Administration]].<ref>{{cite news | last =Dee | first =John | title =Supreme Court (In)Justice | work =Lumpen | pages =Coup 2K | date =January 2001 | url =http://www.lumpen.com/coup2k/framer.html?pg=11 }} </ref><ref>{{cite news | last =Marquis | first =Christopher | title = Job of Clarence Thomas's Wife Raises Conflict-of-Interest Questions | work = [[The New York Times]] | publisher =[[The New York Times Company]] | date =December 12, 2000 | url =http://www.commondreams.org/headlines/121200-02.htm }}</ref> Thomas later served as [[White House]] liaison to the [[Heritage Foundation]].<ref name="atlantajournal" /><ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | title =After 10 years on Supreme Court, Thomas finds a comfortable routine | work =Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | date =September 4, 2001 }} </ref> In January 2010, Virginia Thomas started a nonprofit [[Tea Party movement|tea-party]] affiliated lobbying group, Liberty Central, to organize conservative activism, issue score cards for Congress members, and be involved in elections.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-na-thomas14-2010mar14,0,6505384.story|title=Justice's wife launches 'tea party' group|last=Hennessey|first=Kathleen|date=14 March 2010|publisher=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=15 March 2010}}</ref> Thomas was interviewed by [[Sean Hannity]] on his [[Fox News]] show in June 2010. When asked about potential conflicts due to her husband's position, Thomas replied "there's a lot of judicial wives and husbands out there causing trouble. I'm just one of many."<ref>Vogel, Kenneth P. [http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0710/39426_Page3.html#ixzz0syOGowjW Secret donors make Thomas's wife's group tea party player.] ''[[Politico (newspaper)|Politico]].'' July 6, 2010.</ref> == Critic of Lifespring == Virginia Thomas took training with the controversial [[self awareness]] program [[Lifespring]] while a congressional aide.<ref name="fisher">{{cite news | last =Fisher | first =Marc | title = I Cried Enough to Fill a Glass: In One Lifespring Session, Trainees May Find Themselves Crawling on their Hands and Knees, Wailing Like Infants and Tightly Hugging 200 Total Strangers - All to Get Control of Their Lives. Does it Work? Sometimes. | work =[[The Washington Post]] | date =October 25, 1987 }} </ref> She said in a 1987 interview with ''[[The Washington Post]]'' that she had to seek counseling after her decision to break away from Lifespring.<ref name="blumenfeld" /> Thomas left Lifespring in 1985, and joined the [[Cult Awareness Network]].<ref>{{cite book | last =Phelps | first =Timothy M. | coauthors =Helen Winternitz | title =Capitol Games: The Inside Story of Clarence Thomas, Anita Hill and a Supreme Court Nomination | publisher =HarperPerennial | year =1993 | pages =115-116 | id = ISBN 0060975539 }} </ref> She ultimately had to hide in another part of the [[United States|country]] in order to avoid a constant barrage of phone calls from Lifespring members, urging her to remain in the organization.<ref name="blumenfeld" /><ref>{{cite news | last =Marcum | first =Kirsten | coauthors =Adam Larson, Illustrations | title =Cult Status: In which the author struggles to escape the psychological shackles of a self-help seminar | work =Minneapolis City Pages | pages =Volume 22, Issue 1092, COVER STORY | date =November 7, 2001 | url =http://www.citypages.com/databank/22/1092/article9923.asp?page=2 }} </ref><ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | title =Thomas' Wife Raps Lifespring | work =San Antonio Express-News | date =July 18, 1991 }} </ref> Thomas spoke on panels and organized [[Opposition to cults and new religious movements|anti-cult workshops]] for [[United States Congress|congressional staffers]] in 1986 and 1988.<ref name="blumenfeld">{{cite news | last =Blumenfeld | first =Laura | title =The Nominee's Soul Mate | work =[[The Washington Post]] | pages =F01 | date =September 10, 1991 | url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/cult/lifespring/main.htm }}</ref> In a 1991 interview, Thomas commented on Lifespring, stating "they are pretty scary people." She also stated: "I was once in a group that used [[mind control]] techniques."<ref>{{cite news | last =Staff | coauthors =[[The Washington Post]] | title = Thomas' Wife Was Victim of Cult | work =[[The Buffalo News]] | date =July 6, 1991 }} </ref> == Contact with Anita Hill == == Contact with Anita Hill == Multiple news organizations<ref>{{cite news|title=Clarence Thomas’s Wife Asks Anita Hill for Apology|work=New York Times|date=2010-10-19|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/20/us/politics/20thomas.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Virginia Thomas seeks apology from Anita Hill|work=Washington Post|date=2010-10-19|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/20/AR2010102001551.html}}</ref> reported that on October 9, 2010, Virginia Thomas left a [[voicemail]] message for [[Anita Hill]], whose accusations of [[sexual harassment]] dominated her husband, Clarence Thomas', [[Clarence Thomas Supreme Court nomination|Supreme Court confirmation]] hearing in the [[U. S. Senate]]. Virginia Thomas described the voice mail as "reaching out" however, in the voice mail, Thomas said that Hill should apologize to her husband. <blockquote>“Good morning Anita Hill, it’s Ginni Thomas. I just wanted to reach across the airwaves and the years and ask you to consider something. I would love you to consider an apology sometime and some full explanation of why you did what you did with my husband. So give it some thought. And certainly pray about this and hope that one day you will help us understand why you did what you did. O.K., have a good day.” </blockquote> Anita Hill responded that she would not be offering an apology<ref>{{cite web|author=Tom McCarthy |url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/nightlinedailyline/2010/10/do-you-believe-anita-hill.html |title=Do You Believe Anita Hill? |publisher=Blogs.abcnews.com |date=2010-10-19 |accessdate=2010-10-20}}</ref>, since her testimony was truthful and accurate."I appreciate that no offense was intended, but she can’t ask for an apology without suggesting that I did something wrong, and that is offensive."<ref name="nyt10" /> == References == {{reflist|2}} == Further reading == {{refbegin}} *{{cite book | last =Fletcher | first =Michael A. | authorlink = | coauthors =Kevin Merida | title =Supreme Discomfort: The Divided Soul of Clarence Thomas | publisher =Doubleday Publishing | year =2007 | id = ISBN 0385510802}} *{{cite book | last =Gerber | first =Scott Douglas | title =First Principles: The Jurisprudence of Clarence Thomas | publisher =NYU Press | year =1999 | id = ISBN 0814731007}} {{refend}} ==External links== *{{C-SPAN|virginiathomas}} *[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/15/AR2010031503399.html Wife of Justice Thomas starts group for 'citizen activists'], Robert Barnes and Dan Eggen, ''[[The Washington Post]], March 16, 2010 *[http://www.libertycentral.org/tag/ginni-thomas Liberty Central on Ginni Thomas] *[http://www.libertycentral.org/ Liberty Central] {{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Virginia Lamp}} [[Category:American Episcopalians]] [[Category:Washington, D.C. lawyers]] [[Category:People from Omaha, Nebraska]] [[Category:Creighton University alumni]] [[Category:Heritage Foundation]] [[Category:Tea Party movement]] [[Category:1957 births]] [[Category:Living people]]'