>> THIS WEEK ON TO THE CONTRARY... FIRST, THE POPE VERSUS OBAMACARE.

THEN LEGISLATING AGAINST THE PAY GAP.

BEHIND THE HEADLINES GENDER EQUALITY IN THEATER.

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> HELLO I'M BONNIE ERBE WELCOME TO THE CONTRARY A DISCUSSION OF NEWS AND SOCIAL TRENDS FROM DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES.

UP FIRST, THE POPE'S VISIT TO AMERICA.

POPE FRANCIS IS KNOWN FOR HIS PROGRESSIVE RHETORIC BUT HE MAY HAVE UPSET SOME ON THE LEFT DURING THE AMERICAN VISIT AND SOME ON THE RIGHT.

THE LEFT BECAUSE HE SHOWED SUPPORT THROUGH AN UNSCHEDULED VISIT WITH A GROUP OF NUNS FIGHTING THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT'S BIRTH CONTROL RULE THE RIGHT BECAUSE HE URGED CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS IN THIS ADDRESS TO CONGRESS TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE.

THE OBAMACARE PROBLEM AROSE BECAUSE THE LAW REQUIRES EMPLOYERS INCLUDING CHURCHES AND CATHOLIC SCHOOLS TO BUY HEALTH INSURANCE WITH BIRTH CONTROL COVERAGE.

RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS CAN FILE FOR EXEMPTIONS BUT THE ORDER OF NUNS CALLED THE LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR SEE THAT AS 'UNDO BURDEN AND SUING THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE CASE IS HEADED TO THE SUPREME COURT.

NOT ALL PRO-CHOICE CATHOLICS OPPOSE THE POPE'S MEETING.

SARA HUTCHINSON RATCLIFFE OF CATHOLICS FOR CHOICE SEES IT AS A POSITIVE.

>> POPE FRANCIS USES SYMBOLISM.

AND THE SYMBOL OF THE POPE STOPPING BY TO GIVE THE LITTLE SISTERS SUPPORT I WOULD NOT SAY IT'S DISAPPOINTING IT IS A SYMBOL AND ONE HE FELT HE NEEDED TO DO BECAUSE HE DID NOT DELIVER THE MESSAGES THE BISHOPS WOULD HAVE LIKED HIM TO DO.

>> HE FACED CRITICISM ABOUT THE CLERGY SEXUAL ABUSE THAT ROCKED THE CHURCH.

SURVIVORS GROUPS WERE UPSET BECAUSE THE PONTIFF PRAISED THE BISHOPS FALLOUT.

>> WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IS FOR HIM TO TAKE CONCRETE ACTION LIKE WE BELIEVE HE SHOULD OPEN UP THOSE RECORDS IN THE VATICAN AND TURN THEM OVER TO POLICE.

AND WE THINK THAT HE SHOULD ORDER EVERY BISHOP IN THE COUNTRY TO DO THE SAME.

>> SO MARY, WELCOME TO THE PANEL.

AND WILL THE POPE'S VISIT LURE MORE AMERICAN CATHOLIC WOMEN BACK INTO THE FOLD?

>> I WOULD NOT SAY LURE BUT I WOULD SAY ATTRACT AND INVITE.

HE IS THE POPE OF ARMS WIDE OPEN.

>> I THINK HE IS THE PEOPLE'S POPE AND OPENING UP THE CHURCH TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF MORE WOMEN COME BACK.

>> RIGHT.

THE POPE IS REACHING OUT TO PEOPLE WHOSE VIEWS ARE IN CON GREWENCE WITH THE CATHOLIC CHURCH BECAUSE HE CHOSE TO WADE INTO CLIMATE CHANGE AND IMMIGRATION.

>> I AM A WOMAN AND CHRISTIAN, I'M SOLD.

>> THERE YOU GO.

BUT BEFORE WE GET TO WHAT HE DID ON ABORTION RIGHTS AND IN TERMS OF THE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE, LET'S GET TO THE RESIGNATION OF HOUSE SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER.

WHAT IS THAT -- DOES THAT MEAN AND WHY DID IT HAPPEN THE DAY AFTER HIS SPEECH TO CONGRESS?

AND WERE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS LISTENING ABOUT RECONCILING?

>> I THINK THE MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION MAY HAVE BEEN PART OF THAT AND ALSO BOEHNER REALLY WANTED THE POPE TO BE THERE THAT WAS A DREAM FOR 20 YEARS.

AND THAT OCCURRED.

AND WHY NOT GO OUT ON A HIGH NOTE.

THERE HAS BEEN TALK ABOUT HIM LEAVING.

>> I THINK THIS EXIT SIGNALS THE FACT THAT WE ARE HEADED TOWARDS A IS GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND THE REPUBLICANS ARE GEARING UP FOR THE FIGHT AGAINST PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

I'M NOT SURE THE MESSAGE FELL ON OPEN EARS.

I THINK THAT BOEHNER EXITING THINGS ARE ABOUT TO OCCUR.

>> DO YOU THINK THE FIGHT OVER PLANNED PARENTHOOD AND BOEHNER'S EXIT WAS IT THE TEA PARTY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO WANT A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN SHOULD THEY HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO THE POPE'S MESSAGE AND RECONCILING?

OR SHOULD THE SUPPORTERS OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD HAVE BEEN LISTENING AND WILLINGLY GONE ALONG WITH DEFUND TO GO?

>> IT IS AN INTERESTING JUXTAPOSITION TO HAVE THAT MESSAGE FROM THE OF RECONCILIATION AT THE SAME TIME YOU'RE HAVING THIS FIGHT OVER FUNDING IF FOR ABORTIONS WHICH POPE FRANCIS STANDS AGAINST.

IT'S HARD TO KNOW WHICH OF THE TEACHINGS SHOULD BE ELEVATED MORE BUT ALL ACCOUNTS, MEETING THE POPE WAS A MAJOR MOMENT IN JOHN BOEHNER'S LIFE.

PERHAPS YOU ARE RIGHT THAT HE DID WANT TO GO OUT ON A HIGH NOTE AND IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TIMING.

>> WAS IT DESTRUCTIVE TIMING?

IN TERMS OF THE POPE'S MESSAGE OF RECONCILING?

>> I THINK IT'S REVEALING TIMING.

IT'S SYSTEMIC, SYMPTOM MATT PARTICULAR TIMING AND I ARGUE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS 6% OF ITS LEGISLATORS ARE WOMEN COMPARED TO 30% ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE AND I THINK THAT IS THE CAUSATION FOR THIS STRANGLE HOLD THIS PARTISAN CHESS THAT SOMETHING THAT COMES FROM THAT SIDE OF THE FENCE AND THE CONSISTENT PEOPLE CALL IT THE WARREN WOMEN AND I ARGUE WITH THAT I DO NOT AGREE.

BUT IF WE HAD MORE WOMEN ON THE RIGHT JOHN BOEHNER WOULD NOT BE THREATENED AND STEPPING DOWN.

>> AND WHAT ABOUT THE SURVIVORS OF PRIEST SEXUAL ABUSE?

THEY WERE NOT AT ALL PLEASED WITH WHAT THE POPE DID.

HE WAS AS WE REPORTED EARLIER, WIDELY EXPECTED TO LAY ON A LAST-MINUTE MEETING WITH SURVIVORS.

BUT THOSE WOULD BE NOT THE ONES WHO WERE ASKING FOR WHAT THE WOMAN WE INTERVIEWED IS ASKING FOR.

BUT THOSE WHO SYMPATHIZE STILL AND SUPPORT THE CHURCH DESPITE WHAT THEY WENT THROUGH.

>> THE POPE'S A PASTORS.

I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF HE DOES MEET WITH SURVIVORS BUT THE COMMENTS TO THE BISHOPS WHEN HE SPOKE TO THEM ABOUT HOW WHAT THEY HAD BEEN THROUGH HE WAS ACKNOWLEDGING THE FACT THAT THAT CHURCH MADE HUGE CHANGES MORE THAN ANY OTHER INSTITUTION IN SOCIETY TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

AND THAT HAS COME NOT WITHOUT COST BOTH FINANCIAL BUT IN TERMS OF DEALING WITH THE PEOPLE AND NEEDING TO BE UP FRONT ABOUT THAT.

AND HE IS ACKNOWLEDGING AND SAYING YOU HAVE BEEN DOING THE RIGHT THING.

HE IS A PASTOR TO THEM AS WELL.

>> I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF WORK THAT STILL THEDS TO BE DONE WITHIN THE CHURCH FOR PEOPLE.

WE KNOW THAT THE NUMBER OF CATHOLICS IS GOING UP BUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE ATTENDING CHURCH IS DOWN.

AND I STILL THINK THAT THERE IS A LOT OF HEALING THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

AND I'M NOT SURE IF THE POPE JUST MEETING WITH SURVIVORS WILL SEND A MESSAGE OR WHAT ELSE NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> BUT IT DEPENDS WHICH SURVIVORS?

IF HE WERE TO MEET WITH THE SNAP FOLKS WHO ARE DEMANDING MUCH MORE ACTION BY THE CHURCH VERSUS SURVIVORS WHO SAY YES, I SURVIVED AND AM A LOYAL CATHOLIC.

IT IS A DIFFERENT GROUP.

>> AND IT'S IN THE CHURCH'S BEST INTEREST TO MEET WITH BOTH.

IT IS NOT FAIR TO SAY YOU HAVE THE VICTIMS BUT I AM LOYAL TO THE CHURCH EVEN THOUGH I WAS ABUSED.

THAT DOES NOT SEND A GOOD MESSAGE AND THOSE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ABUSED HE NEEDS TO FIND A PLACE IN THE MIDDLE TO MODERATE THOSE TWO TO BRING THE CATHOLIC CHURCH BACK TOGETHER AGAIN.

>> I PUSHBACK IN THAT BECAUSE THE CHURCH MADE GREAT STRIDES THAT YOUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS DO NOT DO IN TERMS OF PROTECTING CHILDREN.

IT IS NOT A QUESTION OF WAITING FOR SOMETHING ELSE TO BE DONE.

IT'S TIME TO CLOSE THE BOOKS AND SAY THINGS HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AND THE CHURCH IS ATTUNED TO THIS AND THEY ARE REACHING OUT.

LET'S MOVE ON AND GET ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE.

>> WHAT ABOUT DOCTRINE AND IT APPLIES MORE TO THE PLANNED PARENTHOOD SITUATION THAN IT DOES FOR EXAMPLE TO THE SITUATION WITH SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE.

BUT ARE WE GOING TO SEE ANY CHANGE IN DOCTRINE THAT MATCHES SOME OF THIS POPE'S VERY PROGRESSIVE RHETORIC?

>> WELL, THERE IS NOT ANY DOCTRINE INIMPLEMENT INDICATED IN TERMS OF THE SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE.

THOSE WERE PEDOPHILIA PROBLEMS OR HOMOSEXUALITY PROBLEMS AND THAT WAS PROVEN BY THE STUDY.

SO PUTTING THAT ASIDE, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE LOVE THE POPE'S RHETORIC AND HIS WELCOME TO PEOPLE TO SAY COME ON IN AND LET'S DISCUSS.

YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE CHURCH'S STANCE ON DIVORCE AND CONTRACEPTION COME ON IN AND COME BACK BUT DO NOT LOOK FOR A CHANGE IN DOCTRINE BECAUSE THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

THE CHURCH FEELS IT RECEIVED THE TRUTH AND IT GUARDS IT.

>> I AGREE WITH WHAT YOU ARE SAYING BUT I DISAGREE WITH THE IDEAS THAT WE SHOULD CLOSE THE BOOKS.

AS A SURVIVOR OF SEXUAL ABUSE YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD: THE POPE IS ACKNOWLEDGING THAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE SURVIVORS EXIST.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS POPE HE PUTS CHRIST IN THE FRONT SEAT AND CHURCH DOGMA IN THE TRUNK.

>> WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

>> HERE IS A MAN WHO HAS TAKEN HIS OATH OF POVERTY SERIOUSLY.

YOU KNOW SO GONE IS THE POPE MOBILE.

HE WEARS AND TAKES SERIOUSLY HIS ROLE AS THE MOST IMPORTANT RELIGIOUS LEADER IN THE WORLD, RIGHT?

I TAKE THAT SERIOUSLY.

AND HE TAKES HIS ROLE MODELING SERIOUSLY WHICH IS YES HE IS UPSETTING PEOPLE ON THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT.

HE IS TAKING THE ROLE SERIOUSLY AND AS A CHRISTIAN PROTESTANT I'M JUST VERY, VERY GRATEFUL TO SEE THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST AS TOLD IN THE NEW TESTAMENT WORN BY THE LEADER OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

>> A LOT OF CATHOLICS AND FORMER CATHOLICS ARE SAYING HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT IF DOGMA IS NOT CHANGED?

IF DOGMA AND DOCTRINE DO NOT GO ALONG THE REST OF IT IS ALL PUBLIC RELATIONS IN A WAY IS WHAT IT BEING SAID?

>> AND THAT IS PART OF THE DUTY OF THE POPE IS TO BE A PASTOR A LEADER AND TO SAFEGUARD DOCTRINE THAT HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

THAT IS PART OF HIS OFFICIAL ROLE.

HIS OUTREACH TO PROGRESSIVES AND THE FACT THAT HE IS BRIDGING THE DIVIDE BETWEEN PEOPLE WHO STOOD AGAINST THE CATHOLIC CHURCH THAT GOES TO THE HEALING OF THE DAMAGE THAT HAS BEEN DONE BY THE SCANDALS.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S HIS DUTY TO PROTECT THE DOCTRINES THAT STOOD WHAT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH STANDS FOR.

>> DOCTRINES WILL NOT CHANGE BUT HE IS SAYING COME IN ALL ARE WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS.

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @BONNIEERBE.

FROM THE POPE TO THE PAY GAP.

CALIFORNIA IS ABOUT TO GET ONE OF THE NATION'S TOUGHEST LAWS AIMED AT CLOSING THE PAY GAP.

EMPLOYERS WHO FACE CLAIMS OF GENDER DISCRIMINATION WILL HAVE TO PROVE THERE IS A LEGITIMATE REASON SUCH AS SENIORITY OR MERIT FOR WAGE DIFFERENCES IF MEN AND WOMEN ARE DOING SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR WORK.

CURRENT CALIFORNIA LAW REQUIRES EQUAL PAY FOR THE SAME EXACT JOB.

THE NEW MEASURE PROTECTS EMPLOYEES FROM RETALIATION FOR TALKING WITH COWORKERS ABOUT WHAT THEY EARN.

PAY SECRECY IS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN CLOSING THE PAY GAP.

LAST YEAR, PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNED EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT BAR FEDERAL CONTRACTORS FROM RETALIATING AGAINST EMPLOYEES WHO TALK ABOUT THEIR WAGES.

AND DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TO COLLECT WAGE DATA FROM FEDERAL CONTRACTORS.

>> SO JENNIFER HIGGINS WELCOME TO THE PANEL THANK YOU.

CALIFORNIA'S MOVE GOOD OR BAD?

>> I THINK IT'S INTERESTING.

[LAUGHTER] AT THE END OF THE DAY REPUBLICANS ARE LOOKING AT THIS AS JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER BILL IN CONGRESS THAT IS MOVING FORWARD ON PAYCHECK FAIRNESS AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE THE CONVERSATION AROUND TRANSPARENCY.

>> IS THIS ENOUGH?

>> I THINK IT IS A FANTASTIC MOVE.

I LOVE THE FACT THAT CALIFORNIA IS LEADING ON THIS ISSUE.

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY WE -- EQUAL PAY IS STILL A CONVERSATION THAT WE ARE HAVING IN 2015.

WHY WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT HAVING WOMEN AND MEN MAKE THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR THE SAME JOBS IS GOOD FOR FAMILIES AND WHY THAT IS AN ISSUE THAT WE CONTINUE TO FACE.

>> A LOT OF REPUBLICANS MIGHT ARGUE THAT IT'S NOT AN ISSUE.

THAT THE FACT THAT THE PAY GAP EXISTS CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO OTHER FACTORS AND WE ARE LEGISLATING AWAY A PROBLEM THAT MIGHT NOT EXIST AND THAT IS THE REASON WHY REPUBLICANS MIGHT STAND OPPOSED TO IT AND THE CALIFORNIA BILL SAILED THROUGH.

>> THIS IS A HOT BUTTON ISSUE WHEN IT COMES TO WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

PATRICIA ARQUETTE COMING OUT IN THE EMMY'S AND MERYL STREEP 11TATEING WHEN SHE SPEAKS.

I THINK IT IS A GREAT EXAMPLE WHAT IS GOVERNMENT IS HERE FOR.

THE 19TH AMENDMENT.

IT TOOK 150 YEARS TO PASS THAT DARNED THING AND ALMOST 100 YEARS SINCE IT'S BEEN PASSED.

I APPLAUD CALIFORNIA THEY ARE USUALLY LEADING THE CHARGE AND THE FIRST ONE MADE US WEAR SEATBELTS AND I'M WITH IT.

>> NEW YORK AND CALIFORNIA FRANKLY HAVE BEEN IN TERMS OF STATES AND IN TERMS OF MOVING LAWS TO THE LEFT TO THE MORE PROGRESSIVE SIDE THEY BOTH LEAD.

AND THE STATE SUPREME COURTS ARE LEADERS AS WELL.

BUT SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT?

AND HOW MUCH IS THAT GOING TO IN A WAY GUM UP THE WORKS BECAUSE IT IS A VERY HARD TERM TO PROVE?

>> LEGISLATION IS LIKE SAUSAGE MAKING IT IS TOUGH STUFF.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THE TERM IS FOR A LONGTIME WE HAVE HID BEHIND THE FENCE, RIGHT?

OF WELL, IT'S NOT EXACTLY THE SAME JOB.

RIGHT?

TO YOUR POINT, SARA.

SO I ACTUALLY LIKE THE TERM.

I THINK IT'S TAKING US FARTHER DOWN THE FIELD OF SAYING LISTEN, I HAD THE PLEASURE FRANKLY OF GETTING TO KNOW AND I CALL HER, LILLY LEDBETTER.

HOW LONG DID SHE WORK ON THAT LEGISLATION?

AND HOW HARD WAS IT TO FIND OUT WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE EARNED?

MORE TO YOUR POINT MORE TRANSPARENCY IN THE WORKPLACE.

IT IS A TOUGH NUT BECAUSE AMERICA IS THE NATION OF BUSINESS.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE GREAT AT SO WE DON'T WANT TO PUT THINGS THAT ARE OPENER RUSS IN THE WAY OF BUSINESSES SO THEY DO NOT DRIVE BUT WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE.

>> WHAT IS IMPORTANT HERE IS THAT REPUBLICANS ARE NOT NECESSARILY OPPOSED TO THE IDEA OF EQUAL PAY.

THE IDEA OF EQUAL PAY.

THE BIGGER FACTOR FOR US IS THERE ARE LAWS THAT ALLOW THAT AND THE DISCRIMINATION QUESTION BEHALF IS DISCRIMINATION THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS THAT GO INTO EQUAL PAY AND WE ARE LOOKING AT EXPLORING THOSE.

AND THERE IS A BILL CALLED THE GAP ACT AND FOR US AS REPUBLICANS LOOKING TO EMPOWER STATES TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE GENDER PAY DISPARITIES ARE AND WHAT THE MECHANISMS ARE BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF THOSE ANSWERS.

AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN BUILD ON CALIFORNIA WITH RESPECT IN OUR RETALIATION AND TRANSPARENCY.

BUT TO YOUR POINT, BUSINESSES ARE LEADING THIS EFFORT AS WELL.

TECH COMPANIES ARE TAKING INITIATIVES IN TERMS OF TRANSPARENCY.

WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THOSE EFFORTS CONTINUE RATHER THAN ADDING ADDITIONAL MANDATES.

>> IS THIS A CHANGE AMONG CONSERVATIVE AND REPUBLICAN WOMEN?

BECAUSE THE STANDARD RESPONSE FROM REPUBLICAN WOMEN FOUR YEARS AGO IS THERE IS NO PAY GAP OR IF THERE IS IT'S BECAUSE WOMAN CHOOSE TO STAY HOME WITH THEIR KIDS AND CHOOSE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR PARENTS SO THEY KNOW THEY WILL -- AND ACTUALLY LABOR THEY DISPUTED LABOR DEPARTMENT FIGURES ABOUT WHETHER THE PAY GAP WAS REAL OR SOMETHING WOMEN WERE CHOOSING?

>> YOU ARE LOOKING AT ACKNOWLEDGMENT BY REPUBLICANS THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS CLOSELY AND THE CHANGING FAMILY AND WORKPLACE WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MORE AND MORE WOMEN ARE TAKING TIME TO BE AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES.

AND HOW DO WE RECOGNIZE THROUGH CHILDCARE INITIATIVES AND PAID LEAVE INITIATIVES.

AND FOR THE FIRST TIME YOU ARE SEEING AN OPENING IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAVING TO DO WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND HILLARY'S ENGAGEMENT.

>> I WOULD ARGUE -- >> JUST A SECOND.

YOU SHOULD BE CELEBRATING THAT AS A REVOLUTION.

BECAUSE [INAUDIBLE] >> IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> WHAT I THINK ALSO IS GOING ON HERE NOT AS MAYBE LESS FUNDAMENTALLY BUT TO YOUR POINT, JEN IS THAT THERE IS THERE IS A HUGE ECONOMIC BENEFIT IF THERE'S MORE MONEY IN THE POCKETS OF THE HOUSEHOLDS.

AND THAT IS A MASSIVE BENEFIT.

THAT IS PART OF WHAT IS GOING ON HERE, TOO.

>> AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE LOOK AT ALL OF THE DIFFERENT PIECES THAT ADD TO EQUAL PAY OR UNEQUAL PAY SUCH AS CHILDCARE, SUCH AS CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE WOMEN DO NOT HAVE TO LEAVE THE WORKFORCE TO TAKE CARE OF KIDS BECAUSE THERE IS NO -- CHILDCARE COSTS ARE JUST SO HIGH IT MAKES MORE SENSE TO LEAVE AND LOSE THAT TIME.

SO I THINK IT IS NOT A SILOED ISSUE IT IS A QUILT OF THINGS THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT AS ONE PICTURE.

>> SARA WITHIN A BLADED WELCOME TO THE PANEL TO YOU AS WELL DOING A GREAT JOB AND THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING, DO YOU SEE IT THAT WAY?

>> IT'S ABOUT STRIKING A BALANCE BETWEEN SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T PLACE UNNECESSARY BURDENS ON BUSINESSES THAT WOULD ERASE BENEFIT THAT MARGINALLY HIGHER WINSTON-SALEMS WOULD CREATE AND STILL LOOKING AT THESE ISSUES LIKE TRANSPARENCY AND CHILDCARE THAT MATTER AND TO JEN'S POINT THESE ARE ISSUES IN ELECTION YEARS BECAUSE IT TURNS PEOPLE OUT BUT DOES NOT HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY AND YOU SEE FADE AWAY OPPORTUNITY THE OFF YEARS.

>> AND GLOBALLY WE ARE THE ONLY NATION IN THE DEVELOPED WORLD WHERE WOMEN ARE SLOWLY EXITING OUT OF THE WORKFORCE RELATIVE TO OTHER COUNTRIES.

AND THE THING PEOPLE POINT TO IS THE LACK OF ADEQUATE CHILDCARE.

IT'S TOO HARD AND EXPENSIVE.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE ON THIS, TOO.

>> IS THAT REMEMBER THE REPUBLICAN?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF BRAINSTORMING GOING ON.

OPPORTUNITIES ON THE SIDE BUT WAYS TO PROP UP AND SUPPORT THAT CONTRACT THAT WE HAVE AS FAMILIES.

IT IS A COMMITMENT ON OUR PART BESIDES FOLLOWING WE NEED TO LEAD.

>> I WANT TO ELECT JEN PRESIDENT.

>> NO, BUT SERIOUSLY, I MEAN WHY IS IT THAT THERE IS A CHANGE GOING ON?

IS IT POLLING?

>> YOU ARE FINDING MORE REPUBLICAN WOMEN THE NUMBER OF REPUBLICAN WOMEN IN CONGRESS AND THE NUMBER OF REPUBLICAN WOMEN FACED THE ISSUES THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THESE AND THEY HAVE A SEAT AT THE LEADERSHIP TABLE AND HAVING A DIALOGUE WITH LEADERSHIP HOW JUST TO RESPOND TO WHAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE DOING BUT TO BE AN ACTIVIST AND HELPING TO ADVANCE AN AGENDA BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT SO THAT WOMEN VOTERS AND OUR REPUBLICAN WOMEN AS WELL.

>> WILL THAT TRICKLE DOWN?

I'M WOWED AND I AGREE WOW MAYBE YOU SHOULD ESPECIALLYTER THE RACE.

I ENTER THE RACE.

I WONDER IF THIS THINKING AND THOUGHTFULNESS IS GOING TO TRICKLE INTO THE PEOPLE YOU ARE PUTTING FORTH FOR THE PRESIDENCY IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

IS THERE A CANDIDATE THAT IS THERE THAT IS ECHOING THIS THOUGHTFULNESS AND OPEN POSTURE?

>> I THINK IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE YOU HEAR THE CHOICES CARLY FIORINA AND HER DIALOGUE I THINK HER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FOCUSING ON EQUAL PAY OR PAID LEAVE ARE NOT HER TOP PRIORITIES BUT IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UMBRELLA CONVERSATION AROUND ALLOWING WOMEN GREATER OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVANCE AND ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES, I THINK BUILDING POLICIES IN THAT AREA ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO THAT TO SARA'S POINT PLAY IN THAT SPACE OF ENGAGING WOMEN WHILE NOT COMPROMISING OUR VALUES AND PLACING BURDENS ON BUSINESSES.

>> WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING HERE IS BECAUSE DEMOCRATIC WOMEN REPRESENT 30% ON THAT SIDE OF THE AISLE.

AND REPUBLICAN ONLY 6%.

WE NEED TO FIX THAT.

YOU NEED TO RUN.

AND SO I THINK WE ARE SEEING A DELAYED RESPONSE.

THEY ARE GETTING THERE IT'S TAKING THEM LONGER BECAUSE IT TAKES LONGER FOR 6% TO GET THEIR VOICES HEARD.

AND NOW THERE IS A BIG WIN IF THEY DO.

IT IS A COMBINATION.

>> FASCINATING.

AND REMEMBER YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST.

BEHIND THE HEADLINES WOMEN IN THEATER DESPITE MAKING UP THE MAJORITY OF THE THEATER-GOING PUBLIC, WOMEN PLAYWRIGHTS, PRODUCERS AND MANAGERS ARE HARD TO FIND.

NOW A FESTIVAL IS DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THAT IMBALANCE.

>> MORE THAN 50 PROFESSIONAL THEATERS IN THE WASHINGTON D.C. AREA ARE HOSTING THE WOMEN'S VOICES THEATER FESTIVAL.

EACH COMPANY WILL PRODUCE A WORLD PREMIER PRODUCTION OF A WORK WRITTEN AT LEAST IN PART BY A FEMALE PLAYWRIGHT.

>> WE WANTED TO SHINE A LIGHT ON WASHINGTON AS A DESTINATION FOR THE ARTS AND WE DECIDED WE COULD MAKE A STATEMENT ABOUT THE NEED FOR PARITY IN THEATERS IN AMERICA.

>> MAGGIE IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF SIGNATURE THEATER ONE OF SEVEN THAT ORIGINATED THE FESTIVAL.

>> THERE'S MORE THAN 50 WORLD PREMIERS BY FEMALE PLAYWRIGHTS IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER.

>> IT IS ASTOUNDING THAT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THIS NATION.

>> WHILE WOMEN BUY MORE TICKETS THAN MEN A FIFTH OF ALL PLAYS PRODUCED ARE WRITTEN BY WOMEN.

>> WASHINGTON DOES A LITTLE BETTER.

WE ARE NORTH OF 30%.

BUT WE ALL REALIZE THAT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

WOMEN ARE HALF THE POPULATION AND SHOULD BE REPRESENTED MORE EQUALLY.

>> MARGARET ENGEL WROTE ONE OF THE PLAYS ERMA BOMBECK AAT WITS END.

>> ERMA BOMBECK WAS IN OVER 900 NEWSPAPERS WITH HER COLUMN CALLED AT WITS END.

SHE WAS A MEGA PHONE FOR THE IGNORED MOM.

>> NOT THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE WORKED TOGETHER.

>> IT MAKES THE PROCESS FASTER.

WE DON'T HAVE TO BE ACCESSIBLY COLLIDING WITH EACH OTHER.

WE KNOW WHEN SOMETHING IS GOING TO WORK OR NOT WORK.

>> THEY HAVE MADE IT AS PLAYWRIGHTS BUT A COMMON OBSTACLE THEY ENCOUNTER IS PRODUCES CHOOSE TO GO WITH ARTISTS THEY ALREADY KNOW.

MOSTLY MEN INSTEAD OF NEW TALENT.

>> THERE'S BEEN A BIAS TOWARD PRODUCING WORKS WITH TRACK RECORDS IT IS A CATCH 22.

THAT IF MEN'S WORKS ARE GETTING PRODUCED MORE THEN WE LOOK AT THE TRACK RECORDS MORE AND THEIR PLAYS ARE MORE LIKELY TO MAKE THEIR WAY INTO THE INSTITUTIONS AROUND TOWN.

>> THERE ARE PLANS TO EXPAND THE FESTIVAL CONCEPT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A ONE-TIME FESTIVAL AND HAVE BUSINESS GO BACK TO USUAL.

IT IS REALLY A COSMIC CHANGE.

>> A CONVERSATION HAS CHANGED FOREVER AND THAT IS WHAT WE HOPE IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

FIVE YEARS WE WILL LOOK BACK AND SAY WITH THIS FESTIVAL WE LAUNCHED 50 PLUS FEMALE PLAYWRIGHTS AND THEIR WORKS INTO THE WORLD.

>> I'M WONDERING, IF THIS WILL SEND A SHOUT-OUT THE WAY PATRICIA ARQUETTE'S SPEECH WHEN SHE COLLECTED HER AWARD, REALLY SHOOK HOLLYWOOD TO IT FOUNDATIONS SAYING WE ARE NOT MAKING WHAT THE MEN ARE.

WE DESERVE EQUAL PAY AND WILL THIS FESTIVAL HAVE THE SAME EFFECT?

>> I HOPE IT DOES AND IT SHOULD.

WOMEN'S VOICES SHOULD BE HEARD AND I THINK THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO BUT IT WILL COME BACK TO MONEY AND WHO WANTS TO BACK THEM.

>> WE ARE WORKING ON THE POLITICAL SIDE TO INCREASE WOMEN'S EXPOSURE AND INCREASE THAT PIPELINE FOR WOMEN AND IT'S IMPORTANT ON THE CULTURAL SIDE AND WHERE WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND THAT IS MORE CRITICAL THAN EVER.

>> SINCE WOMEN BUY MOST TICKETS DON'T YOU THINK WOMEN SHOULD KNOW THIS?

>> NO.

NO.

NO.

WOMEN DRINK AS MUCH SEXIST GROUND WATER AS MEN DO.

>> THAT IS THE TIME WE HAVE!

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND VISIT US ON PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY.

AND WHETHER YOU AGREE OR THINK TO THE CONTRARY, SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

[♪♪♪]F FOUNDATION.

FOR A TRANSCRIPT OR TO SEE AN ON-LINE VERSION OF THIS EPISODE OF TO THE CONTRARY VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY.

[♪♪♪]