THIS WEEK ON TO THE CONTRARY.•• FIRST, AN ABSOLUTELY HISTORIC YEAR FOR WOMEN'S ADVANCEMENT, SOME SAY HISTORICALLY GOOD AND HISTORICALLY BAD.

WE LOOK BACK, THEN AHEAD AT HOW THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY IS SHAPING 2018 FOR WOMEN.

HELLO, I'M BONNIE ERBE.

WELCOME TO TO THE CONTRARY, A DISCUSSION OF NEWS AND SOCIAL TRENDS FROM DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES.

UP FIRST, WHAT A LONG, DIVISIVE YET VICTORIOUS YEAR IT'S BEEN FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

THE ELECTION AND INAUGURATION OF DONALD J. TRUMP AS THE 45TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HAS ENERGIZED WOMEN IN WAYS EXPERTS SAY IS UNPRECEDENTED.

FEAR OF TURNING BACK THE CLOCK ON WOMEN'S RIGHTS SPARKED THE SO-CALLED RESISTANCE SENDING MILLIONS OF WOMEN AND MEN INTO THE STREETS FOR WOMEN'S MARCHES FROM WASHINGTON DC TO CALIFORNIA.

ONE OF TRUMP'S FIRST MOVES WAS TO REINSTATE THE GLOBAL GAG RULE, WHICH CUTS OFF FUNDING TO OVERSEAS HEALTH GROUPS THAT OFFER OR MENTION ABORTION.

THEN ALONG WITH THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS THE PRESIDENT UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

THEY FAILED WHEN THE BILL TO END OBAMACARE DIED IN THE SENATE.

FOUR WOMEN AND ONE AFRICAN AMERICAN REPORTED TO THE PRESIDENT IN HIS FIRST WAVE OF CABINET OR CABINET LEVEL POSITION.

IT WAS MAKING IT THE LEAST DIVERSE FIRST CABINET OF ANY PRESIDENT SINCE RONALD REAGAN.

PRESIDENT TRUMP IS ALSO REMAKING THE JUDICIARY IN A WAY THAT WILL HAVE A LASTING IMPACT.

HE NOMINATED AND THE SENATE CONFIRMED NEIL GORSUCH TO THE SUPREME COURT WHO FIGURES TO BE THE MOST CONSERVATIVE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE.

TRUMP HAS SINCE PUT FORWARD 59 PEOPLE FOR FEDERAL JUDGESHIPS.

ONE FEMALE CABINET MEMBER, EDUCATION SECRETARY BETSY DEVOS HAS CAUSED GREAT CONTROVERSY BY TAKING ACTIONS PROGRESSIVE WOMEN SEE AS TURNING BACK WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

DE VOS RESCINDED OBAMA-ERA GUIDANCE ON HOW SCHOOLS SHOULD HANDLE SEXUAL ASSAULTS UNDER TITLE IX SAYING IT DENIED DUE PROCESS TO THOSE ACCUSED.

BUT NOW WOMEN ARE RUNNING FOR OFFICE IN RECORD NUMBERS AND EVEN DRAMATICALLY INCREASING THEIR DONATION TO FUND CAMPAIGNS.

MORE THAN 23-THOUSAND WOMEN HAVE CONTACTED ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS EMILY'S LIST TO LEARN MORE AND GET TRAINING TO RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE.

AND TURNOUT BY WOMEN AND MINORITIES IS BEING CREDITED FOR THE ELECTION OF A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR IN VIRGINIA AND THE FIRST DEMOCRATIC SENATOR IN ALABAMA SINCE 1992.

PRESIDENT TRUMP ENDS THE YEAR WITH A BIG VICTORY GETTING TO SIGN SWEEPING TAX OVERHAUL LEGISLATION.

CRITICS SAY THE NEW LAW WILL ULTIMATELY HURT WOMEN MINORITIES AND OLDER AMERICANS.

BUT PROPONENTS SAY FAMILIES WILL SEE LOWER TAXES.

SO, 2017 A YEAR OF PROGRESS OR REGRESSION FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND WHAT ABOUT 2018?

ISM WELL, TRUMP AND THE CONGRESS, TOO, TRIED TO DRIVE WOMEN BACK INTO THE LAST CENTURY.

BUT WOMEN RESISTED TO TOOK POWER IN THEIR OWN HANDS AS THE ME TOO MOVEMENT SHOWS.

>> I SPENT A DECADE WORKING IN POLITICS AND THIS IS PROGRESS, WOMEN ARE BEING BELIEVED AND HEARD AND WOMEN ARE COMING TOGETHER AND BEING UNITED AND I THINK THAT IS PROGRESS.

>> WE HAVE A PRESIDENT IN THE WHITE HOUSE WHO BRAGGED ABOUT SEXUALLY ASSAULTING WOMEN AND A VICE-PRESIDENT WHO REFUSES TO MEET WITH WOMEN ALONE.

AND WE HAVE WOMEN RISING UP, INCLUDING BLACK WOMEN, INCLUDING MY DAUGHTER.

>> 20 APRIL WILL BE BETTER THEY ARE TURNING OVER THE ROCKS IN HOLLYWOOD AND THE NEVER MEN UNDERNEATH ARE HAVING TO SCURRY AWAY AND THAT IS A TREMENDOUS STEP FORWARD AND BETTER TIMES IN 2018.

>> ASIDE FROM THE CULTURAL, POLITICALLY WHAT ABOUT 2017 WAS GREAT FOR WOMEN?

>> BECAUSE WE HAVE LAWS COMING INTO PLAY THAT WILL LIFT ALL THE BOATS MEN AND WOMEN'S BOATS BOTH.

RISING TIDE LIFTS ALL BOATS.

>> THIS IS A CHALLENGING PERIOD POLICY WISE FOR WOMEN AND IT WILL TAKE A LONGTIME TO UNDO THE DAMAGE PARTICULARLY LOOKING AT THE JUDICIARY.

IN TERMS OF THE WOMEN'S MOVEMENT IS ON FIRE.

I WENT TO THE WOMEN'S CONVENTION IN DETROIT THIS FALL AND SOMEONE WHO DEVOTED MY LIFE TO THE WOMEN'S MOVEMENT I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW GRATIFYING IT WAS TO BE AMONG THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND BARELY RECOGNIZE A FACE.

>> WILL YOUNG WOMEN BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN WHAT THEY STARTED THE DAY AFTER PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS INAUGURATED?

>> WE ARE SEEING THE EVIDENCE.

LOOK WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE MILLENNIALS.

THIS IS A GENERATION THAT THIS PRESIDENT TURNED OFF AND NOW IN SUPER MAJORITIES THEY ARE PROGRESS AND PARTICULARLY ON WOMEN'S ISSUES.

>> AS A MILLENNIAL AND NOT JUST YOUNG WOMEN WHO STARTED THE WOMEN'S MARCH BUT I WAS TOLD THAT REPUBLICAN WOMEN PRO-LIFE WOMEN WERE NOT INVITED TO AND WERE NOT WELCOME AT I FELT NERVOUS ABOUT WHAT WAS AHEAD OF US.

BUT I COULD NOT HAVE PREDICTED THE ME TOO MOVEMENT WOULD HAVE BROUGHT TOGETHER SO MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM.

>> WE ARE BLENDING -- FIRST THERE'S THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

THE PRESIDENT, THE CABINET -- THE LEAST DIVERSE CABINET IN 35 YEARS.

SOME OF THE APPOINTEES LIKE BETSEY DeVOS IN EDUCATION PROGRESSIVE WOMEN WOULD SAY ROLLING BACK WHAT PROGRESS WOMEN HAVE MADE FIGHTING SEXUAL ASSAULT ON CAMPUS THAT PROTECTION IS NOW GONE.

LET'S TALK FIRST ABOUT THE POLITICAL IMPACT.

>> BUT I THINK THE POLITICAL AND THE POLICY MAKING WILL GET INTERTWINED IN 2018.

WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR, HAS AWAKENED A SENSE IN WOMEN YOUNG AND OLD THERE CAN BE POLICY CHANGES THAT HAPPEN.

LOOK IN VIRGINIA THEY VOTED OUT THE PEOPLE THEY DID NOT THINK REFLECTED THEIR VALUES.

AND I THINK WHAT WE'LL SEE IS GOOD LEADERSHIP.

>> DO YOU THINK THE DEMOCRATS WILL TAKE BACK THE HOUSE?

>> I DON'T WANT TO MAKE A PREDICTION THAT BROAD AS YET BECAUSE WE HAVE YET TO SEE WHAT THE TAX BILL IS GOING TO BE WILL IT SPUR ECONOMIC GROWTH LIKE THE REPUBLICANS HOPE AND WISH IT WILL.

ACROSS THE BOARD AND THAT WILL BE FELT BY MEN AND WOMEN.

WE ARE NOT THE PRIMARY BREAD WINNERS IN THE HOME BUT WE ARE BECOMING A SHARE OF THEM.

AND SO WOMEN ARE FINDING THEIR NOT JUST REAL SEAT AT THE TABLE BUT A WAY TO LEAD POLICY DISCUSSIONS.

>> ERIN, YOUR THOUGHTS HOW THE POLITICAL CHANGES WHICH PROGRESSIVE WOMEN SEE AS UNILATERALLY BAD FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

IS THAT SEEPING INTO THE AMERICAN CULTURE?

SO WILL YOUNG WOMEN BE GUIDED TO PAY ATTENTION TO RAP MUSIC THAT IS VERBALLY AND PHYSICALLY ABUSIVE IN SOME CASES?

OR A PRESIDENT WHO HAS SAID HIMSELF ON TAPE THAT HE SEXUALLY ASSAULTS WOMEN?

OR WILL THEY BE LISTENING TO SOMETHING ELSE AND CULTURALLY IT WILL NOT SET THEM BACK?

>> AS THE MOTHER OF A FOUR-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I GRAPPLE WITH DAILY AND IT'S HEARTBREAKING TO RAISE A YOUNG GIRL.

THE QUESTION IS: ARE WOMEN STRONG ENOUGH TOUGH ENOUGH TO RISE UP AGAINST THIS ABSOLUTELY AND WE ARE DOING IT IN DROVES.

MILLIONS OF PEOPLE CAME OUT FOR THE WOMEN'S MARCHS.

>> IS THAT BEING SUSTAINED?

IS THAT ENERGY -- BECAUSE IT WAS THE BIGGEST MARCH EVER IN THE WORLD.

THE BIGGEST ONE-DAY EVENT.

BUT IS THAT STILL -- ARE PEOPLE JUST GOING BACK TO THEIR LIVES NOW?

OR ARE THEY UPSET?

>> IT'S TRUE ALL OF THE MARCHS IN THE WORLD CANNOT NEGATE THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A PRESIDENT THAT BRAGGED ABOUT SEXUALLY ASSAULTING WOMEN.

THIS IS A DEVASTATING CULTURAL MESSAGE.

>> HOW IT'S BEEN SUSTAINED THE EVIDENCE IS ON THE TABLE.

LOOK AT VIRGINIA.

LOOK AT ALABAMA.

WOMEN TO THEIR SHAME I HAVE TO SAY, VOTED MAJORITY FOR DONALD TRUMP.

BUT LOOK, I THINK -- >> WHITE, MARRIED WOMEN.

>> VERY IMPORTANT POINT.

BUT I THINK WITH VIRGINIA, WITH 61% OF WOMEN VOTING FOR, I THINK WE MAY HAVE SEEN A TURNING POINT FOR WHITE WOMEN HAVING SEEN WAIT A MINUTE THEY SEEM TO VOTE INTERESTINGLY THE WAY THEIR HUSBANDS VOTE.

>> YOUR OPINION HERE MY FRIENDS FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE COUNTRY ESPECIALLY THE WOMEN WANT TO TELL YOU THAT A LOT OF WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT REFLECTS THE COASTAL WOMEN AS OPPOSED TO THE WOMEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE COUNTRY.

>> URBAN AREAS.

>> THEY SEE MORE POSITIVE COMING OUT.

AND THEY SEE MORE POSITIVE COMING OUT OF TRUMP'S POLICIES.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO PLAY OUT.

LIKE A LIFETIME BETWEEN NOW AND THE ELECTION.

WE'LL SEE HOW THIS AND POLICIES WILL BE PUT IN PLACE AND PROGRAMS THAT HE IS GOING TO SPONSOR BETWEEN NOW AND THEN PLAY OUT.

A LOT OF TIME IT IS A LIFETIME UNTIL THE ELECTION.

>> AND TO YOUR POINT, ECONOMICS, THE ECONOMY, NATIONAL SECURITY THOSE ARE TWO ISSUES THAT WOMEN CARE ABOUT OVERWHELMINGLY.

I THINK IF THIS PRESIDENT CONTINUES TO REFLECT THAT HE HAS BOTH UNDER CONTROL, THIS WHITE HOUSE IS FINE.

>> WHAT ABOUT DeVOS?

DO YOU THINK SHE IS A WOMAN WHO IS PUSHING FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS?

>> I THINK SHE IS FINE ON WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND IS DISTURBED NEVER GETS CREDIT FOR ANY POSITIVE STUFF SHE DOES.

RIGHT NOW -- RIGHT NOW SHE IS GOING THROUGH THE CURRICULUM AND MAKING VERY POSITIVE CHANGES AS YOU KNOW, I WORK WITH THE WOMEN'S HISTORY MUSEUM AND WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO INPUT TO GET WOMEN'S HISTORY IN OUR TEXTBOOKS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

SO I THINK THERE'S POSITIVE THINGS THAT WILL BE COMING FORWARD.

HAS SHE HAD MISSTEPS?

FOR SURE.

IN THE END YOU WILL FIND SOME THINGS NOT A LOT BUT SOME THINGS YOU MIGHT LIKE SHE IS DOING.

>> ARE THEY PUTTING CREATIONISM IN THE TEXTBOOKS?

>> NO.

>> WHAT -- SO WHAT ARE THEY DOING -- >> JUST GOING THROUGH A FULL REVIEW AND WOMEN'S HISTORY MUSEUM HAS A MAJOR CURRICULUM PROJECT WHERE WE ARE GOING LINE BY-LINE AND PROVIDING THE INFORMATION OF HOW MUCH IS MISSING ON WOMEN'S HISTORY AS YOU KNOW IT'S VIRTUALLY NONEXISTENT.

>> THAT IS DONE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

DeVOS WILL HAVE NO INFLUENCE ON THAT.

>> THAT IS NOT TRUE.

>> I WORRY ABOUT THE I AM FACT OF FAKE NEWS AND WHAT IT'S DOING TO WOMEN.

WOMEN IN THE RURAL RED FLYOVER STATES IF YOU WILL, PEOPLE LIKE MY MOTHER AND SOME OF MY AUNTS JUST SO CONCERNED WITH WORKING AND PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO RUN THE HOME IN GENERAL ARE NOT WATCHING NEWS ALL DAY EVERYDAY.

LIKE MANY IN THE BELTWAY ARE DOING.

WHEN INFORMATION MAKES IT DOWN TO THEM HOW ARE THEY PROCESSING IT?

HOW ARE THEY WORKING IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND HOW IS THAT IMPACTING THEIR LIVES?

I THINK WE ARE AT A CRUCIAL PIVOTAL POINT IN TIME WHERE I DON'T KNOW THAT A LOT OF THIS ADMINISTRATION'S ACTIONS WHETHER THEY BE GOOD PERCEIVE TO BE GOOD FOR WOMEN OR BAD FOR WOMEN ARE MAKING ITS WAY DOWN TO THE AVERAGE AMERICAN WOMEN.

I FELT CONFIDENT THAT THAT INFORMATION WAS MAKING ITS WAY DOWN AND NOW, I WORRY ABOUT THE IMPACT OF FAKE NEWS.

>> AND YOU ARE ALSO VERY, VERY INVOLVED WITH A NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS GETTING MORE YOUNG WOMEN TO RUN.

EMILY'S LIST SAID 23,000 YOUNG WOMEN NOW THEY ARE PRO-CHOICE DEMOCRAT PACT BUT THEY ARE TRAINING THEY HAVE HAD REQUESTS OR ARE TRAINING 23,000 YOUNG WOMEN TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

>> AND THAT IS EMILY'S LIST.

>> JUST THEM AND THERE ARE OTHER GROUPS.

WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN FROM THAT IN 2018?

>> MY GROUP, WHICH I HAVE BEEN ON THE BOARD OF FOR THREE YEARS, YOUNG ORGANIZATION WE ARE NONPARTISAN AND WE TAKE WOMEN AND WE TRAIN THEM GIVE THEM A TOOL KIT AND 90 DAYS LEARN HOW TO PUT ON A CAMPAIGN THE STATE OR THE LOCAL LEVEL.

WE GOT 6,000 WOMEN TELLING US THAT THEY WANTED TO LEARN HOW TO RUN RIGHT THEN AND THERE.

THAT IS GOING TO TRANSCEND INTO MORE WOMEN SEEKING PUBLIC OFFICE AT ALL LEVELS.

AND A GREAT MANY WOMEN PERHAPS ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE ARE NERVOUS ABOUT IDENTIFYING.

THEY ARE NOT SURE HOW TO FEEL ABOUT THE CLIMATE OF THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE PRESIDENT.

MULTIPLE ACCUSERS.

IT'S HARD TO IGNORE THAT.

TODAY'S YOUNGER WOMEN, I AM ONE, BUT YOU KNOW I CAN SAY THAT I DON'T KNOW WHAT ALL THAT MEANS.

I KNOW WE ARE COMPARTMENTALIZING AND SAYING I HAVE THIS IN FRONT OF ME AND MAYBE IT'S BETTER FOR ME TO RUN.

>> TWO THINGS: ONE, THE WOMEN, 89% OF THE WOMEN WHO ARE NEW WOMEN RUNNING FOR OFFICE WHO ARE CHALLENGING INCUMBENTS ARE DEMOCRATIC.

WHILE I AGREE IT SHOULD BE A NONPARTISAN ISSUE WE SHOULD HAVE EQUAL REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN BOTH PARTIES IT IS DEMOCRATIC WOMEN STEPPING FORWARD.

>> AND FINAL THOUGHTS ON YOUNG -- >> THE PARTY HOPEFULLY HEARS THIS AND PUTS MORE EFFORT BECAUSE WHEN THEY DO, THEY GET WOMEN TO RUN AND WOMEN.

WOMEN -- >> REPUBLICANS?

>> YES, THEY HAVE A BETTER SHOT IN A LOT OF RACES IF THEY ARE PRO-CHOICE REPUBLICAN WOMEN.

>> AND A LOT OF REPUBLICAN MILLENNIALS FEMALE MILLENNIALS ARE ELECTED TO OFFICE WILL THAT CHANGE THE PARTISAN BENT OF THE PARTY?

>> I THINK IT CAN HAVE A POSITIVE EFFECT.

I KNOW THE YOUNGEST MEMBER SERVING IN THE HOUSE HAS DONE A LOT OF OUTREACH AND HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON SOME OF THE THINGS.

>> THE 25-YEAR-OLD FROM NEW YORK >> YES.

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.

PLEASE FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @BONNIEERBE.

AND NOW TO THE CULTURAL REVOLUTION OF THE YEAR.

2018 IS THE YEAR WHEN WOMEN AND THE MEN WHO LOVE THEM WILL BE WATCHING TO SEE IF THE #METOO MOVEMENT IS BUILT ON SAND OR STEEL.

WOMEN & MEN TOOK TO SOCIAL MEDIA THIS YEAR TO SHARE STORIES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT, ABUSE AND RAPE.

HIGH-PROFILE ACCUSATIONS LED TO CONSEQUENCES FOR A LONG LIST OF POWERHOUSE MEN STARTING WITH HOLLYWOOD PRODUCER HARVEY WEINSTEIN, AND INCLUDING AMAZON EXECUTIVE ROY PRICE, TODAY SHOW HOST MATT LAUER, ACTOR KEVIN SPACEY, AND SENATOR AL FRANKEN.

REPUBLICAN ROY MOORE LOST A SENATE ELECTION IN DEEP-RED ALABAMA AFTER NINE WOMEN ACCUSED HIM OF SEXUAL ABUSE, ONE AS YOUNG AS 14 WHEN SHE CLAIMED HE SEDUCED HER.

SENATORS AND ACTIVISTS HAVE CALLED ON PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP TO RESIGN OVER ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HIM, THOUGH HE HAS SHOWN NO INTENTION TO DO SO.

CONGRESS IS CONSIDERING NEW RULES COVERING SEXUAL HARASSMENT.

TIME MAGAZINE SELECTED THE "SILENCE BREAKERS" AS THE PERSONS OF THE YEAR.

>> SO, HOW IS THIS GOING TO CHANGE THE SOCIETY?

IS THIS -- AND WE SEE PERSON AFTER PERSON AFTER PERSON BEING TAKEN DOWN.

IS THIS GOING TO REALLY CHANGE THE WAY AMERICANS MEN AND WOMEN THINK ABOUT SEXUAL HARASSMENT OR ASSAULT OR IS THIS A MOMENT IN TIME THAT WE'LL FORGET ABOUT AND GO BACK TO WHERE WE WERE?

E A LOT OF US THOUGHT THIS WAS A MOMENT BUT IT'S POLITICS, JOURNALISM, ENTERTAINMENT, THE PEOPLE ARE GETTING TAKEN DOWN BY THE DAY.

WHAT IS HAPPENING IS THAT WOMEN ARE BEING BELIEVED NOW MORE THAN EVER BEFORE AND IT'S CHANGING BEHAVIORS IT IS AWAKENING A SENSE IN MEN DID I DO SOMETHING WRONG?

MAYBE IT'S ME AND NOT HER.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE LOOKING INSIDE THEMSELVES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A VERY LONG TIME AND REALIZING THAT WE HAVE TO BE THE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.

>> AND WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT WOMEN ARE BEING BELIEVED.

REMEMBER THIS -- >> CONGRESS IS CONSIDERING LEGISLATION TO CHANGE RULES FOR ITSELF.

>> FOR ITSELF.

AND IT'S THE HIGH PROFILE MEN AS IN CONGRESS, THE WEINSTEIN'S OF THE WORLD.

BUT THE WOMEN ARE BEING BELIEVED IS PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

BECAUSE YOU SEE SOME MEN AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME EVER, FOR UNWITNESSED, UNCORROBORATED, SHAMEFUL BEHAVIOR COMING OUT AND SAYING I'M SORRY, ESSENTIALLY I DID IT.

NOT ALL OF THEM, OF COURSE.

BUT THE FACT THAT ANY OF THEM WOULD DO SO.

HERE IS MY CONCERN: WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH THE WOMEN WHO STEPPED FORWARD THEY HAVE COME FROM HIGH PROFILE INDUSTRIES.

I HAVE PUT A BILL IN THAT WOULD SAY THERE SHOULD BE A CONGRESSIONAL COMMISSION TO LOOK AT SEXUAL HARASSMENT NATIONWIDE BECAUSE THE WOMEN WHO HAVE NOT SPOKEN UP BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO SPEAK UP.

>> THE WAITRESSES AT THE DINER.

>> THE AVERAGE WORKING WOMEN.

SO WE CAN'T LET THIS HAPPEN ONLY AT THE HIGHER ECHELONS OF SOCIETY.

WHO IS BETTER EQUIPPED?

THIS IS WHAT CONGRESS SHOULD DO NOT ONLY ITS OWN HOUSE BUT THE AMERICAN HOUSE.

>> WILL THIS BE SUSTAINED?

I THINK WE HAVE REACHED A TIPPING POINT.

>> HOW WILL WE KNOW?

>> YOU WILL KNOW IN TIME OBVIOUSLY IF IT CONTINUES.

HERE IS THE KEY PROBLEM... AND THAT IS AS ALL THIS COMES OUT, YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A BACKLASH WHERE MEN AND WOMEN ARE GOING TO START GETTING AT EACH OTHER AND THERE'S GOING TO BE AN ANGER.

MY EFFORTS ARE NOW AIMED AT TRYING TO CHANGE THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF THE MEN SO THEY WILL KNOW AUTOMATICALLY HOW TO TREAT A WOMEN AND SEE US NOT AS SOMEBODY THAT IS POWERLESS AND SECOND CLASS AND MY WORK THROUGH WOMEN'S HISTORY IS A BIG PART OF THAT A.

WHEN MEN HEAR THE FULL EXTENT THAT WOMEN HAVE BEEN PARTNERS IN BUILDING SOCIETY STUFF THAT THEY NEVER KNEW THEY HAVE THE REACTION, I CANNOT LOOK AT A WOMAN THE SAME WAY AGAIN.

AND THAT IS THE POINT.

WE DON'T WANT THEM TO.

THE ME TOO MOVEMENT IS SO INSPIRING BUT THE KEY ISSUE IS NOT SEX IT'S POWER.

AND THIS IS ABOUT EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE AND WE NEED TO MAKE STRUCTURAL REFORMS SO THINGS CHANGE AND INCLUDE THINGS LIKE COMPANIES FORCING WORKERS IN A MANDATORY ARBITRATION FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT SUITS IS A HUGE ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT.

>> HOW DO WE STRIKE A BALANCE?

ALREADY SOME YOU KNOW, AND THIS HAPPENED BEFORE WHEN SENATOR BOB PAQUIN, THE REPUBLICAN WAS FOUND WITH A TRAIL OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND ASSAULT CHARGES AGAINST HIM AND THAT HAPPENED IN THE 90s.

SO AND THAT WAS A BIG MOMENT.

AND SO WAS ANITA HILL.

AND AFTERWARDS WE WENT RIGHT BACK TO WHERE WE WERE.

>> THIS IS A SCALE UNLIKE THAT.

>> IT IS.

BUT A YEAR FROM NOW IF THERE ARE NO MORE CHARGES, WHAT ARE COMPANIES GOING TO DO DIFFERENTLY?

>> YOU ARE LOOKING AT ENTERTAINMENT, POLITICS, MEDIA AND ACADEMIA.

EVERY ASPECT OF SOCIETY.

>> WE ARE STILL NOT LOOKING AT WHERE MOST WOMEN ARE.

>> FACTORIES AND DINERS.

>> EXACTLY.

UNLESS WE GET TO THOSE LEVELS.

>> AND HOUSEKEEPERS.

>> AND THAT IS HARDER TO DO.

LOOK WHEN I CHAIRED THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION SEXUAL HARASSMENT WAS NOT YET A VIOLATION OF TITLE VII OF THE 1964 CIVIL RIGHTS ACT.

WE DID GUIDELINES AND THE SUPREME COURT EMBRACED OUR GUIDELINES.

THINK ABOUT THIS.

WOMEN WERE THROWN INTO THE STATUTE AT THE LAST-MINUTE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

LONG BEFORE I GOT TO THE EOC AND THEN IT TOOK 20 YEARS FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT TO BE RECOGNIZED AS A VIOLATION OF LAW.

YES, THIS HAS BEEN MUCH SLOWER AN OTHER FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION.

AND IF WE DO NOT CONTINUE TO SELF EMPOWER WOMEN, WE ARE NOT GOING TO SEE THE END OF THIS.

SO THE REASON I THINK WE ARE AT A TURNING POINT IS NOT BECAUSE OF ANYTHING THE SOCIETY IS DOING OR THE AGENCIES OR THE CONGRESS IS DOING, IT'S BECAUSE OF WHAT WOMEN THEMSELVES ARE INSISTING UPON.

>> WHERE DO YOU SEE SENATOR GILLIBRAND OF NEW YORK'S CAMPAIGN TO CONVINCE AND EVERYBODY KNOWS IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN, DONALD TRUMP TO RESIGN BECAUSE OF THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HIM?

>> THAT IS LIKE IMPEACHMENT.

THOSE THINGS HAVE TO BE RAISED BUT I DO NOT THINK THAT IS WHERE THE ANSWER LIES.

I THINK THE MORE PEOPLE SEE MEN COMING FORWARD OR MAKING THEM COME FORWARD AND YET THE PRESIDENT IS AT THE TOP OF THE HEAP BUT MORE ACCUSERS THAN ANYBODY ELSE.

>> BURKE, WHO IS CREDITED WITH BEING THE FOUNDER OF THE ME TOO MOVEMENT SHE STARTED IT ON MY SPACE I REMEMBER MY SPACE AND SHE TALKS ABOUT HOW SHE IS NOT MAD OR SAD THAT IT TOOK UNTIL NOW FOR THE MOVEMENT TO TAKE STEAM.

BECAUSE IT TAKES TIME, AND I'M NOT A COMPLETE FAN OF LACK OF GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION.

I THINK COMMISSIONS AND I THINK SEXUAL HARASSMENT TRAINING WHEN I WAS A CAPITAL STAFFER I WOULD HAVE LOVED IF THE OFFICE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THINGS AND MY COLLEAGUES IN OTHER OFFICES DID NOT EXPERIENCE WEIRD THINGS THAT WE DID.

>> THE MILLENNIALS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT RUNNING FOR OFFICE, HOW MUCH DOES IT HINDER THEM THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN ACCUSED BY MORE THAN A SCORE OF WOMEN OF -- AND JOURNALISTS WRITTEN HOW THEY WERE ATTACKED BY HIM.

>> AND THAT IS WHY THE SOLUTION TO THIS IS BOTH AND, AND ALL OF THE ABOVE WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PROMOTE WOMEN EMPOWERING WOMEN.

AND KEEP LISTENING TO WOMEN AND ELECTING MORE WOMEN AND NEED STRUCTURAL REFORMS.

AND I THINK IT IS A GREAT THING IF PEOPLE ARE STANDING UP OUTSIDE CALLING ON THE PRESIDENT TO RESIGN.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT 50% OF CONGRESS AND SOME PERCENTAGE OF THE WHITE HOUSE WERE FEMALE, THAT THIS WOULD ALL GO AWAY?

>> IT WOULD HELP.

BUT THE VOTERS KNEW ABOUT THE SO-CALLED ACCUSERS ALLEGED ACCUSERS JUST AS WITH CLINTON WE HAD CLEAR WHAT HE DID WHILE HE WAS PRESIDENT.

>> AND WHITE WOMEN STILL VOTED FOR HIM.

>> AND UNDERSTAND CLINTON'S THINGS WERE IN OFFICE WITH EMPLOYEES.

AND WHILE HE WAS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL AS GOVERNOR AND PRESIDENT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP IT WAS BEFORE.

SO PEOPLE SAID YES WE KNOW HE WAS LIKE THAT.

IF HE WERE TO BE CAUGHT DOING ANYTHING NOW THAT MIGHT BE A DIFFERENT STORY.

BUT THE PAST MOST PEOPLE EVEN JONES SENATOR JONES NEWLY ELECTED SAID IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON.

>> I WAS ONE OF THE COFOUNDERS OF WOMEN FOR FRANKEN IN 2008 IN A HOTLY CONTESTED PRIMARY AND I SUPPORTED THE SENATOR'S DECISION TO RESIGN.

I THINK IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

I WENT THROUGH HIS RESIGNATION SPEECH BUT COMING FROM THAT SAME FRAME OF SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED BEFORE HE TOOK OFFICE THE THING IS THE PRESIDENT HAS NO MORAL CREDIBILITY TO LEAD THE COUNTRY.

PARTICULARLY WHEN HE HAS BRAGGED ABOUT SEXUALLY ASSAULTING WOMEN.

>> I THINK ELECTING MORE WOMEN IS NOT THE SOLUTION AND IT IS A BOLD, BOLD STATEMENT IT HELPS RIGHT.

BUT JUST ELECTING WOMEN -- >> WHEN WOMEN ARE 50% OF THE CONGRESS YOU DON'T THINK THAT LEGISLATION -- GENDER PARITY IS GOOD FOR THE COUNTRY BUT WHAT I HAVE SEEN AND THAT IS WHY I MAKE THE BOLD STATEMENT, IS THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE PRINCIPLED LEADERSHIP.

I'VE SEEN THINGS THAT LEFT ME DUMP FOUNDED.

ROMNEY McDANIEL CHOSE TO REINJECT FUNDS IN MOORE'S CAMPAIGN.

THAT IS POOR LEADERSHIP.

GOVERNOR IVY OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA CHOSE TO SUPPORT ROY MOORE DESPITE THE ALLEGATIONS.

THAT IS NOT GOOD LEADERSHIP AND THEY ARE BOTH WOMEN.

>> WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU.

ALL GOOD INFORMATION THAT IS IT FOR THIS EDITION.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE, PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY AND WHETHER YOU AGREE OR THINK TO THE CONTRARY SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

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