My question involves labor and employment law for the state of: Alabama
I attended a group meeting at my company where I am one of two females. The meeting consisted of myself, a supervisor, and 6 other male coworkers. While in the meeting, the supervisor had a violent outburst directed specifically at me. I immediately felt belittled and threatened. It appeared that he had called the group meeting specifically to bully me in this manner (as he is not known to be confrontational one on one, and I feel he felt more powerful with the other men there).
Following the meeting, I addressed the issue with supervisor stating that I found his behavior inappropriate and felt I deserved an apology. We proceed to call our HR representative and explain the issue to him (on speaker phone). When I began to cry out of frustration (as I feel his behavior was undeserved), my HR rep said he couldn't understand the supervisor being emotional in the meeting since I obviously was the one acting emotional now. He advised us to wait until our manager returned on Monday so he could "address it locally".
Being the only female in an industrial environment full of men, I'm aware of the "good ole boys" clubs. I have worked with this long time supervisor for several years. In speaking with other employees (re: his career), he has NEVER displayed this type of behavior before. Regardless of his personal issues, I feel I was targeted as a way for him to "blow of some steam". I am a good employee (often praised by upper management) and have never had a bad review.
Sorry to drone on, but I guess my question is, do I have any kind of legal backing or laws on my side to have this supervisor reprimanded? I am planning to follow the proper HR channels through my employer, but I am worried that it may not be given the attention I feel it deserves due to my being a woman (they'll think I'm over-reacting). I have several witnesses to the event that are willing to speak about how it happened. Thanks for listening.

