From Anita Hill To Capitol Hill

* IF THE WOMEN'S MOVEMENT OF THE '70S WAS THE lightning flash of female empowerment, then the long-awaited roll of thunder began to resound in this year's election results. From coast to coast, women candidates, thrust forward by Anita Hill-inspired outrage and helped along by anti-incumbency sentiment, were in contention as never before.

A record 11 women sought Senate seats. Five won (including an incumbent), bringing the number in that body to seven, from three. In Illinois, an obscure Cook County recorder of deeds, Carol Moseley Braun, rolled to victory in the primary over a Democratic incumbent who had supported Supreme...