#MeToo 1916

From the North Platte (Nebraska) Semi-Weekly Tribune, June 9, 1916, page 3:

"Anna Yankaus, a domestic living in Omaha, has commenced a $50,000 damage suit against Thomas Towey, a wealthy retired farmer of Schuyler. She alleges that while she was employed as housekeeper by Towey's sister, who was dying from tuberculosis, Towey came up behind her and stole a kiss, which caused great mental anguish. The suit was filed in the district court in Omaha."

Thomas Towey is a distant relative of my husband, but obviously, that is not what stands out about the article. A hundred years ago, a woman working as a housekeeper had the gumption to sue this gropester for $50,000. I haven't found out yet how the case was resolved -- Towey had a lot of friends in government and in other high places and I assume Yankaus did not. But even if he settled the case or had the case thrown out of court, he had been embarrassed and inconvenienced. 

Three cheers for Anna Yankaus!

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