Catharine MacKinnon is an American feminist legal scholar, known for her work on issues related to gender equality, sexual harassment, and women's rights. She has played a significant role in shaping legal frameworks that address sexual violence and discrimination, particularly through her influential writings and advocacy. MacKinnon is also recognized for her contributions to the development of the concept of sexual harassment as a legal issue. Her landmark book, Sexual Harassment of Working Women, published in 1979, helped to establish the understanding of workplace harassment as a violation of civil rights, influencing both legal practices and public policy.