Clarence Thomas’ First Wife. Clarence Thomas is a name that is familiar to many Americans. He has been serving as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court since 1991, but not many people know about his personal life, particularly his first marriage to Kathy Ambush. This article will delve into the life and marriage of Clarence Thomas and Kathy Ambush, what happened to their marriage, and where Kathy Ambush is today.
Early Life of Clarence Thomas and Kathy Ambush
Clarence Thomas was born in Pin Point, Georgia, on June 23, 1948. He grew up in a small town and was raised by his mother and maternal grandparents. Thomas attended a segregated school as a child and later went to the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he studied English. It was during his time at college that he met Kathy Ambush.
Kathy Ambush was born in Savannah, Georgia, in 1951. She grew up in a middle-class family and attended college in Boston. Ambush earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Suffolk University in 1972. After college, she worked as a schoolteacher in the Washington, D.C. area.
The Marriage of Clarence Thomas and Kathy Ambush
Clarence Thomas and Kathy Ambush began dating while they were both students at the College of the Holy Cross. They dated for seven years before getting married in a civil ceremony in 1971. The couple had one child, a son named Jamal, who was born in 1973.
After their marriage, Clarence Thomas attended Yale Law School, while Kathy Ambush worked as a schoolteacher in Connecticut. Despite the distance, the couple maintained their relationship and remained committed to each other.
In 1980, Clarence Thomas was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to head the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The family moved to Virginia, where Kathy Ambush continued to work as a teacher. However, the long hours and distance began to take a toll on their relationship, and in 1982, Clarence Thomas filed for divorce from Kathy Ambush.
The Divorce of Clarence Thomas and Kathy Ambush
The reason for Clarence Thomas and Kathy Ambush’s divorce is unclear, and neither party has publicly discussed the details of their separation. However, it has been widely reported that the cause of the divorce was infidelity on the part of Clarence Thomas. The long distance and busy schedules began to take a toll on their relationship, and in 1982, Clarence Thomas filed for divorce from Kathy Ambush.
In a 2007 book titled “Strange Justice: The Selling of Clarence Thomas,” author Jane Mayer and co-author Jill Abramson alleged that Clarence Thomas had engaged in inappropriate behavior with a former employee, Anita Hill, while he was working at the EEOC. The allegations were made public during Thomas’ confirmation hearing for the Supreme Court in 1991, and they led to a national discussion about sexual harassment in the workplace.
During the hearing, Anita Hill testified that Clarence Thomas had sexually harassed her while she was working for him. Clarence Thomas vehemently denied the allegations and accused the Senate Judiciary Committee of conducting a “high-tech lynching” against him.
Despite the controversy surrounding his nomination, Clarence Thomas was confirmed to the Supreme Court by the Senate in 1991. His confirmation was a historic moment, as he became the second African American to serve on the Supreme Court.
Life After Divorce for Kathy Ambush
After her divorce from Clarence Thomas, Kathy Ambush moved to Colorado and changed her last name. She worked as a professor of English and Women and Ethnic Studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Ambush also published several books on African American history, including “Black Women in America: An Historical Encyclopedia” and “Everyday Life: Free People of Color in America.”
Kathy Ambush has largely stayed out of the public eye since her divorce from Clarence Thomas, but she has continued to be an advocate for social justice and education. She has also remained close to her son Jamal, who went on to become a journalist and writer.
In 2020, Jamal wrote an article for The Intercept in which he discussed his mother’s experience as the first wife of Clarence Thomas. He revealed that his mother had experienced significant challenges during her marriage to Thomas, including his infidelity and emotional abuse. He also described the toll that the public scrutiny of Thomas’ confirmation hearing had taken on his family.
Despite the difficulties she faced, Kathy Ambush has continued to lead a successful and fulfilling life. She has made significant contributions to the fields of African American history and women’s studies, and she has served as a role model for countless students and scholars.
About Clarence Thomas
Clarence Thomas is an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. He has served in this position since 1991, making him one of the longest-serving members of the Court. Despite being a well-known public figure, there are still many aspects of Clarence Thomas’s life and legacy that are not widely understood. This article will provide an in-depth look at the life and career of Clarence Thomas.
Early Life and Education
Clarence Thomas was born on June 23, 1948, in Pin Point, Georgia. He was raised by his grandparents, as his mother was unable to care for him and his brother. Thomas attended a segregated school as a child and later went to College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he studied English. After graduating from Holy Cross, Thomas attended Yale Law School.
Early Career
After graduating from Yale Law School, Clarence Thomas worked as an Assistant Attorney General in Missouri. He then moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked for the federal government. Thomas eventually became the head of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) under President Ronald Reagan.
Supreme Court Nomination
In 1991, President George H.W. Bush nominated Clarence Thomas to the United States Supreme Court to replace Thurgood Marshall, who had retired. Thomas’s nomination was controversial, as he was a conservative and his views were seen as being out of step with many Americans.
During his confirmation hearings, allegations of sexual harassment were made against Thomas by a former employee, Anita Hill. The hearings were contentious, with Hill testifying about the alleged harassment in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee. In the end, Thomas was confirmed by the Senate and he has been serving as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court ever since.
Legal Philosophy
Clarence Thomas is widely regarded as a conservative justice. He is known for his originalist approach to constitutional interpretation, which holds that the meaning of the Constitution should be interpreted as it was understood by the Founding Fathers.
Thomas has also been a vocal critic of affirmative action programs, arguing that they perpetuate racial divisions rather than promoting equality. He has also expressed skepticism about the use of international law in U.S. courts.
Notable Cases
Clarence Thomas has written many notable opinions during his time on the Supreme Court. One of his most notable opinions came in the case of Bush v. Gore, in which he argued that the recount of votes in Florida during the 2000 Presidential Election violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution.
Thomas has also been a consistent critic of the Court’s abortion jurisprudence. He has argued that the Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion nationwide, was wrongly decided and should be overturned.
Personal Life
Clarence Thomas’s personal life has been the subject of some controversy. He was married to Kathy Ambush from 1971 to 1984. The reason for their divorce is unclear, but it has been widely reported that Thomas had engaged in infidelity during their marriage.
Thomas has been married to his second wife, Virginia Lamp, since 1987. The couple has one child, a son named Jamal.
Legacy
Clarence Thomas’s legacy is a complex one. He has been a divisive figure on the Court, with many of his opinions and legal philosophies at odds with those of other justices. Despite this, Thomas is widely regarded as a powerful and influential member of the Court.
Thomas’s commitment to originalism and his criticism of affirmative action have made him an important figure in the conservative legal movement. His opinions on issues such as abortion and voting rights have also had a significant impact on American jurisprudence.
Conclusion
The story of Clarence Thomas and Kathy Ambush’s marriage is a complex and often painful one. While the reasons for their divorce remain unclear, it is clear that the relationship was deeply affected by Thomas’ infidelity and the controversy surrounding his confirmation hearing.
Despite the challenges she faced, Kathy Ambush has gone on to lead a successful and meaningful life. She has remained committed to social justice and education, and she has made significant contributions to the field of African American history.
The story of Kathy Ambush is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, it is possible to find purpose and meaning in life. Her resilience and determination serve as an inspiration to us all.
