The political progress women have made — and what's next | Cecile Richards

Summary

The speaker passionately advocates for a women's political revolution to achieve true equality, highlighting the progress women have made and the systemic barriers they still face. Emphasizing the importance of women's representation in government, she calls for intersectional and intergenerational solidarity, urging women to take active roles in politics and leadership. She celebrates the resilience and impact of women globally, from grassroots activism to running for office, and outlines strategies for sustaining the momentum for change.

Takeaways

• 🗳️ Women in the United States won the right to vote nearly a century ago, but it took longer for women of color to gain this right, and the struggle for true equality continues.
• 🌐 The speaker argues for a global desire among women for full equality, not just in the U.S., but worldwide, and the need to move beyond being an afterthought in institutions.
• 🏛 Women are advocating for a political revolution to reshape the future on their own terms, rather than retrofitting into systems designed by and for men.
• 👏 The speaker highlights the importance of women's resilience and their role in building a better future for generations, emphasizing the progress made despite limited political power.
• 👶 The story of the speaker's grandmother illustrates the strength and independence of women, setting the stage for the achievements of later generations.
• 🎓 Women have made significant strides in education and the workforce, with equal representation in colleges and professional fields, and are increasingly contributing to the economy.
• 🏦 The lack of women's representation in government is highlighted by the photograph of male leaders drafting healthcare reform, leading to the exclusion of maternity benefits.
• 📊 The U.S. ranks 104th in women's political representation, which may explain the lack of policies supporting women, such as paid family leave and addressing maternal mortality rates.
• 💰 The gender pay gap persists in the U.S., with women, on average, making 80 cents to the dollar that men make, and even less for women of color.
• 🌈 The speaker calls for a women's political revolution that is inclusive of all women, regardless of race, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, and political beliefs.
• 🔥 Women worldwide are mobilizing for change, challenging the status quo, and demonstrating their power as a political force, from grassroots movements to running for office.

Q & A

What significant event for women's rights occurred nearly 100 years ago in the United States?

Nearly 100 years ago, most women in the United States won the right to vote, marking a significant milestone in the women's rights movement.

How long did it take for women of color to earn the right to vote after the initial victory for women's suffrage?

It took decades more for women of color to earn the right to vote after the initial victory for women's suffrage.

What does the speaker argue is the primary desire of women today globally?

The speaker argues that the primary desire of women today, globally, is to achieve true and full equality and no longer be an afterthought in institutions and governments.

What does the speaker believe is necessary for achieving full equality for women?

The speaker believes that a women's political revolution for full equality is necessary, across race, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, and political labels.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of women being present at decision-making tables?

The speaker emphasizes that if women are not at the decision-making tables, they are on the menu, highlighting the importance of women's presence in shaping policies and decisions.

What historical event in the speaker's family is mentioned to illustrate women's resilience?

The speaker shares the story of her grandmother giving birth at home and killing a chicken for dinner during labor, illustrating women's resilience and capability.

How did the speaker's mother, Ann Richards, make history in Texas?

Ann Richards made history by being elected as the first woman governor of Texas in her own right, just two generations after her own grandmother couldn't vote.

What is the current ranking of the United States in terms of women's representation in office among all countries?

The United States ranks 104th in women's representation in office, according to recent research.

What is the average gender pay gap in the United States, and how does it vary for different racial groups?

On average, women in the United States make 80 cents to the dollar that a man makes. For African American women, it's 63 cents, and for Latinas, it's 54 cents.

What innovative idea did women in the UK implement to highlight the impact of the gender pay gap?

Women in the UK implemented an out-of-office email memo from November 10 to the end of the year to symbolize the weeks they were effectively working without pay due to the gender pay gap.

How does the speaker suggest women can build a political revolution for full equality?

The speaker suggests that women should be loud and proud about what they are for, support each other across differences, vote in every election, take initiative in solving problems, and invest in women as candidates and leaders.

Outlines

00:00

🗳️ Women's Fight for Full Equality

This paragraph discusses the historical struggle for women's right to vote in the United States and the ongoing fight for true equality. It emphasizes the need for a women's political revolution that transcends race, class, gender identity, and political affiliations. The speaker highlights the importance of reshaping the future on women's own terms and the inherent resilience and commitment of women to build a better life for future generations. The narrative also includes a personal story about the speaker's grandmother and mother, illustrating the progress made within a few generations, from a time when women couldn't vote to electing the first woman governor in Texas.

05:01

🌍 The Absence of Women's Voices in Politics

The speaker uses a 2017 White House photograph to illustrate the lack of women's representation in political decision-making, which led to the removal of maternity benefits from a health-care reform bill. The paragraph underscores the disparity in political representation, ranking the United States 104th in women's office representation. It points out the consequences of this underrepresentation, such as the lack of paid family leave and the United States leading developed countries in maternal mortality rates. The wage gap is also highlighted, with statistics showing that women, particularly women of color, earn significantly less than men. The paragraph concludes with the idea that if women held political power, issues like maternity benefits and equal pay would be prioritized.

10:02

🔥 Women as a Global Political Force

This paragraph celebrates women as a powerful political force, leading change from the grassroots level. It discusses the recent surge in women's activism, including marches, protests, and the establishment of new organizations. Women are running for office in record numbers and winning, as exemplified by Lucy McBath, Angie Craig, and Lauren Underwood. The speaker emphasizes the importance of not waiting for permission or a turn to lead but to actively participate in shaping policies and institutions. The paragraph calls for a global, intersectional, and intergenerational movement for women's full equality, ensuring no one is left behind.

15:03

🛣️ Building a Path to Women's Full Equality

The final paragraph outlines a plan for maintaining and advancing the momentum of women's rights. It starts by advocating for clear, positive goals rather than merely resisting negative ones. The speaker stresses the importance of solidarity among all women, recognizing the historical struggles and ongoing leadership of women of color. Voting in every election is highlighted as crucial, with suggestions to make voting easier and Election Day a federal holiday. The paragraph encourages proactive problem-solving, whether through starting new initiatives or supporting oneself and others in the workplace. Lastly, it calls for investment in women as leaders and changemakers, citing the significant increase in women's donations to political campaigns and the resulting electoral success.

Keywords

💡Women's Rights

Women's rights refer to the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the historical struggle for these rights, noting that while progress has been made, there is still a significant way to go for true equality. The script mentions the centennial of women gaining the right to vote and the ongoing fight for equal representation and pay, highlighting the importance of women's rights as a central theme.

💡Political Representation

Political representation refers to the extent to which elected officials reflect the diversity of their constituents. The video discusses the disparity in political representation for women, particularly in the United States, where women are significantly underrepresented in government. The speaker points out that the U.S. ranks 104th in women's representation, illustrating the need for a 'women's political revolution' to achieve full equality.

💡Intersectionality

Intersectionality is the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender, which create overlapping systems of discrimination or disadvantage. The speaker calls for a women's political revolution that is intersectional, meaning it must consider the unique experiences and challenges faced by women of different races, classes, and identities. This concept is integral to the video's message of inclusive activism and policy-making.

💡Maternal Mortality Rates

Maternal mortality rates are the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes while pregnant or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, per 100,000 live births. The video highlights the United States' leading maternal mortality rates among developed countries, suggesting that this is a critical issue that needs to be addressed, particularly by women in positions of power who can influence healthcare policy.

💡Equal Pay

Equal pay refers to the concept that men and women should receive the same pay for equal work. The script discusses the gender pay gap, where women, on average, earn less than men. The speaker provides specific figures, such as women making 80 cents for every dollar a man makes, and even less for women of color, emphasizing the economic disparities that need to be rectified.

💡Grassroots Movement

A grassroots movement is one that starts at the local level and is driven by ordinary people rather than by leaders or organizations. The video praises grassroots activism by women worldwide, who are leading change from the ground up. Examples include women in Saudi Arabia driving for the first time and women in Myanmar standing up for human rights, showing that change often begins with individuals at the community level.

💡Resilience

Resilience is the ability to recover quickly from difficulties or to withstand hardships. The speaker mentions women's resilience as a key factor in their ongoing fight for equality. The script uses the anecdote of the speaker's grandmother, who gave birth at home and killed a chicken for dinner, to illustrate the strength and adaptability of women throughout history.

💡Sexism

Sexism is prejudice or discrimination based on a person's sex or gender. The video calls for a world where sexism, along with sexual harassment and sexual assault, is neither accepted nor tolerated. The speaker argues that this change can only happen through a political revolution that includes women's voices and perspectives in decision-making processes.

💡Voting Rights

Voting rights are the rights of citizens to vote in political elections. The script discusses the historical struggle for women to gain these rights, noting that it took decades more for women of color to earn the right to vote. The speaker emphasizes the importance of voting as a tool for change, advocating for policies that make voting more accessible and equitable.

💡Women's Political Party

A women's political party would be a political organization that specifically advocates for women's rights and issues. The video suggests the idea of such a party as a means to prioritize women's issues in politics. The speaker envisions a party that would not sideline women's concerns but instead make them central to the political agenda.

💡Global Movement

A global movement refers to a coordinated effort by people around the world to bring about social, political, or environmental change. The video calls for a global movement for women's full equality that is intersectional and intergenerational. The speaker highlights the power of women uniting across borders and backgrounds to create a force for change that is 'unstoppable'.

Highlights

Nearly 100 years ago, women in the United States won the right to vote, but it took more time for women of color.

The call for a women's political revolution for full equality, regardless of race, class, gender identity, and political labels.

Women's desire to reshape the future on their own terms rather than retrofitting into institutions built by men.

The importance of women's resilience and commitment to building a better life for future generations.

The story of the speaker's grandmother giving birth at home and killing a chicken for dinner, illustrating the strength of Texas women.

Ann Richards, the speaker's mother, becoming the first woman governor of Texas, showing progress in women's rights.

The significant progress women have made in the workforce, education, and various industries despite limited political power.

The economic impact of women's work, with a hypothetical day off costing the U.S. 21 billion dollars in GDP.

The underrepresentation of women in government, with the U.S. ranking 104th in women's political representation.

The U.S. being the only developed country without paid family leave and leading in maternal mortality rates.

The gender pay gap, with women making 80 cents to the dollar, and even less for women of color.

The creative approach by UK women to illustrate the pay gap with an out-of-office email memo for unpaid work weeks.

The difference women make when in office, including more collaboration, cross-party work, and support for health care and education legislation.

The hypothetical changes in U.S. policy if more women were in office, such as prioritizing birth control access and family unity.

The global movement of women demanding equality and an end to sexism, with the 'Me Too' movement as a powerful example.

The record number of women running for and winning political office, reflecting a shift in political power.

The importance of investing in women as candidates and leaders, with an example of increased donations leading to more wins.

The call to action for women to be proactive in creating change, not waiting for permission or their turn.

The idea of making Election Day a federal holiday in the U.S. to remove barriers to voting and ensure every vote is counted.

The final message of unity and strength in the global movement for women's equality, emphasizing the power of collective action.

Transcripts

Nearly 100 years ago,

almost today,

most women in the United States finally won the right to vote.

Now, it would take decades more for women of color to earn that right,

and we've come a long way since,

but I would argue not nearly far enough.

I think what women want today,

not just only in the United States but around the globe,

is to no longer be an afterthought.

We don't want to continue to try to, like, look at the next 100 years

and be granted, grudgingly, small legal rights and accommodations.

We simply want true and full equality.

I think that women are tired of retrofitting ourselves

into institutions and governments that were built by men, for men,

and we'd rather reshape the future on our own terms.

I believe --

(Applause)

I believe what we need is a women's political revolution for full equality

across race, across class, across gender identity,

across sexual orientation,

and yes, across political labels,

because I believe what binds us together as women

is so much more profound than what keeps up apart.

And so I've given some thought

about how to build this women's political revolution

and that's what I want to talk to you about today.

(Cheers)

(Applause)

The good news is that one thing that hasn't changed in the last century

is women's resilience

and our commitment to build a better life not only for ourselves,

but for generations to come,

because I can't think of a single woman

who wants her daughter

to have fewer rights or opportunities than she's had.

So we know we all stand on the shoulders of the women who came before us,

and as for myself,

I come from a long line of tough Texas women.

(Cheers)

My grandparents lived outside of Waco, Texas,

in the country.

And when my grandmother got pregnant,

of course she was not going to go to the hospital to deliver,

she was going to have that baby at home.

But when she went into labor,

she called the neighbor woman over to cook dinner for my grandfather,

because ...

I mean, it was unthinkable that he was going to make supper for himself.

(Laughter)

Been there.

(Laughter)

The neighbor had no experience with killing a chicken,

and that was what was planned for dinner that night.

And so as the story goes,

my grandmother, in the birthing bed, in labor,

hoists herself up on one elbow and wrings that chicken's neck, right?

And that is how my mother came into this world.

(Laughter)

(Applause)

But the amazing thing is,

even though my mother's own grandmother could not vote in Texas,

because under Texas law,

"idiots, imbeciles, the insane and women"

were prevented the franchise --

just two generations later,

my mother, Ann Richards, was elected the first woman governor in her own right

in the state of Texas.

(Applause and cheers)

But you see, when Mom was coming up in Texas,

there weren't a lot of opportunities for women,

and frankly, she spent her entire life trying to change that.

She used to like to say,

"As women, if you just give us a chance, we can perform.

After all, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did,

but she did it backwards and in high heels."

Right?

And honestly, that's kind of what women have been doing for this last century:

despite having very, very little political power,

we have made enormous progress.

So today in the United States,

100 years after getting the right to vote,

women are almost half the workforce.

And in 40 percent of families with children,

women are the major breadwinners.

Economists even estimate

that if every single paid working woman took just one day off of work,

it would cost the United States 21 billion dollars

in gross domestic product.

Now, largely because of Title IX, which required educational equity,

women are actually now half the college students in the United States.

We're half the medical students, we're half the law students --

Exactly.

(Applause)

And a fact I absolutely love:

One of the most recent classes of graduating NASA astronauts was ...

What?

For the first time, 50 percent women.

(Applause and cheers)

The point is that women are really changing industries,

they're changing business from the inside out.

But when it comes to government, it's another story,

and I actually think a picture is worth 1000 words.

This is a photograph from 2017 at the White House

when congressional leaders were called over to put the final details

into the health-care reform bill that was to go to Congress.

Now, one of the results of this meeting

was that they got rid of maternity benefits,

which may not be that surprising,

since no one at that table actually would need maternity benefits.

And unfortunately, that's what we've learned the hard way

in the US for women.

If we're not at the table, we're on the menu, right?

And we're simply not at enough tables,

because even though women are the vast majority of voters

in the United States,

we fall far behind the rest of the world in political representation.

Recent research is that when they ranked all the countries,

the United States is 104th in women's representation in office.

104th ...

Right behind Indonesia.

So is it any big surprise, then,

considering who's making decisions,

we're the only developed country with no paid family leave?

And despite all the research and improvements we've made

in medical care --

and this is really horrifying to me --

the United States now leads the developed world in maternal mortality rates.

Now, when it comes to equal pay, we're not doing a whole lot better.

Women now, on average, in the United States,

still only make 80 cents to the dollar that a man makes.

Though if you're an African American woman,

it's 63 cents to the dollar.

And if you're Latina, it's 54 cents to the dollar.

It's an outrage.

Now, women in the UK, the United Kingdom,

just came up with something I thought was rather ingenious,

in order to illustrate the impact of the pay gap.

So, starting November 10 and going through the end of the year,

they simply put an out-of-office memo on their email

to indicate all the weeks they were working without pay.

Right?

I think it's an idea that actually could catch on.

But imagine if women actually had political power.

Imagine if we were at the table, making decisions.

Imagine if we had our own women's political party

that instead of putting our issues to the side as distractions,

made them the top priority.

Well, we know --

research shows that when women are in office,

they actually act differently than men.

They collaborate more with their colleagues,

they work across party lines,

and women are much more likely to support legislation

that improves access to health care, education, civil rights.

And what we've seen in our research in the United States Congress

is that women sponsor more legislation

and they cosponsor more legislation.

So all the evidence is that when women actually have the chance to serve,

they make a huge difference and they get the job done.

So how would it look in the United States if different people were making decisions?

Well, I firmly believe if half of Congress could get pregnant,

we would finally quit fighting about birth control

and Planned Parenthood.

(Applause and cheers)

That would be over.

(Applause)

I also really believe that finally,

businesses might quit treating pregnancy as a nuisance,

and rather understand it as a primary medical issue

for millions of American workers.

And I think if more women were in office,

our government would actually prioritize keeping families together

rather than pulling them apart.

(Applause)

But perhaps most importantly,

I think all of these issues would no longer be seen as "women's issues."

They would just be seen as basic issues of fairness and equality

that everybody can get behind.

So I think the question is,

what would it take, actually, to build this women's political revolution?

The good news is, actually, it's already started.

Because women around the globe are demanding workplaces,

they're demanding educational institutions,

they're demanding governments

where sexism and sexual harassment and sexual assault are neither accepted

nor tolerated.

Women around the world, as we know,

are raising their hands and saying, "Me Too,"

and it's a movement that's made so much more powerful

by the fact that women are standing together across industries,

from domestic workers to celebrities in Hollywood.

Women are marching, we're sitting in,

we're speaking up.

Women are challenging the status quo,

we're busting old taboos

and yes, we are proudly making trouble.

So, women in Saudi Arabia are driving for the very first time.

(Applause and cheers)

Women in Iraq are standing in solidarity with survivors of human trafficking.

And women from El Salvador to Ireland are fighting for reproductive rights.

And women in Myanmar are standing up for human rights.

In short, I think the most profound leadership in the world

isn't coming from halls of government.

It's coming from women at the grassroots all across the globe.

(Applause)

And here in the United States, women are on fire.

So a recent Kaiser poll reported

that since our last presidential election in 2016,

one in five Americans have either marched or taken part in a protest,

and the number one issue has been women's rights.

Women are starting new organizations,

they are volunteering on campaigns,

and they're taking on every issue

from gun-safety reform to public education.

And women are running for office in record numbers,

and they are winning.

So -- (Laughs)

(Applause)

Women like Lucy McBath from Georgia.

(Applause and cheers)

Lucy lost her son to gun violence,

and it was because of her experience with the criminal justice system

that she realized just how broken it is,

and she decided to do something about that.

So she ran for office,

and this January, she's going to Congress.

OK? Or --

(Applause)

Angie Craig from Minnesota.

(Applause and cheers)

So her congressman had made such hateful comments about LGBTQ people

that she decided to challenge him.

And you know what? She did, and she won,

and when she goes to Congress in January,

she'll be the first lesbian mother serving in the House of Representatives.

(Applause and cheers)

Or --

(Applause)

Or Lauren Underwood from Illinois.

She's a registered nurse,

and she sees every day the impact that lack of health care access has

on the community where she lives,

and so she decided to run.

She took on six men in her primary, she beat them all,

she won the general election,

and when she goes to Congress in January,

she's going to be the first African-American woman ever

to serve her district in Washington, D.C.

(Applause and cheers)

So women are recognizing --

this is our moment.

Don't wait for permission,

don't wait for your turn.

As the late, great Shirley Chisholm said --

Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman ever

to go to Congress

and the first woman to run for president in the Democratic party --

but Shirley Chisholm said,

"If there's no room for you at the table, just pull up a folding chair."

And that's what women are doing, all across the country.

I believe women are now the most important and powerful political force

in the world,

but how do we make sure that this is not just a moment?

What we need is actually a global movement for women's full equality

that is intersectional and it's intergenerational,

where no one gets left behind.

And so I have a few ideas about how we could do that.

Number one: it's not enough to resist.

It's not enough to say what we're against.

It's time to be loud and proud about what we are for,

because being for full equality is a mainstream value

and something that we can get behind.

Because actually, men support equal pay for women.

Millennials, they support gender equality.

And businesses are increasingly adopting family-friendly policies,

not just because it's the right thing to do,

but because it's good for their workers.

It's good for their business.

Number two:

We have to remember, in the words of Fannie Lou Hamer,

that "nobody's free 'til everybody's free."

So as I mentioned earlier,

women of color in this country didn't even get the right to vote

until much further along than the rest of us.

But since they did, they are the most reliable voters,

and women of color are the most reliable voters for candidates

who support women's rights,

and we need to follow their lead --

(Applause and cheers)

Because their issues are our issues.

And as white women, we have to do more,

because racism and sexism and homophobia,

these are issues that affect all of us.

Number three: we've got to vote in every single election.

Every election.

And we've got to make it easier for folks to vote,

and we've got to make sure that every single vote is counted, OK?

(Applause and cheers)

Because the barriers that exist to voting in the United States,

they fall disproportionately on women --

women of color, women with low incomes,

women who are working and trying to raise a family.

So we need to make it easier for everyone to vote,

and we can start by making Election Day a federal holiday

in the United States of America.

(Applause and cheers)

Number four: don't wait for instructions.

If you see a problem that needs fixing,

I think you're the one to do it, OK?

So start a new organization, run for office.

Or maybe it's as simple as standing up on the job in support of yourself

or your coworkers.

This is up to all of us.

And number five: invest in women, all right?

(Applause)

Invest in women as candidates, as changemakers, as leaders.

Just as an example,

in this last election cycle in the United States,

women donated 100 million dollars more to candidates and campaigns

than they had just two years ago,

and a record number of women won.

So just think about that.

(Applause and cheers)

So look, sometimes I think that the challenges we face,

they seem overwhelming

and they seem like they almost can never be solved,

but I think the problems that seem the most intractable

are the ones that are most important to work on.

And just because it hasn't been figured out yet doesn't mean you won't.

After all, if women's work were easy,

someone else would have already been doing it, right?

(Laughter)

But women around the globe, they're on the move,

and they are taking strengths and inspiration from each other.

They are doing things they never could have imagined.

So if we could just take the progress we have made

in joining the workforce,

in joining business,

in joining the educational system,

and actually channel that into building true political power,

we will reshape this century,

because one of us can be ignored,

two of us can be dismissed,

but together, we're a movement,

and we're unstoppable.

Thank you.

(Applause and cheers)

Thank you.

(Applause)