THE COUNCIL ON WOMEN AND GIRLS THAT HE HEADED AND STARTED, IT'S NOT THERE ANYMORE, I PRESUME.

>> NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE.

>> HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL.

>> WE TRIED TO CREATE A MOVEMENT OUTSIDE OF THE WHITE HOUSE SO IT WOULD CONTINUE NO MATTER WHO SUCCEEDED PRESIDENT OBAMA.

SO WE KNEW THERE WOULD BE MOMENTUM THAT BUILT OUTSIDE OF WASHINGTON AND THAT IS WHAT IT WAS ALWAYS ABOUT.

THAT WE THE PEOPLE, YES, WE CAN.

HELLO I'M BON BO BONNIE ERBE WELCOME TO TO THE CONTRARY.

THIS WEEK, A CONVERSATION WITH A MAJOR THOUGHT LEADER ON WOMEN AND GIRLS' ISSUE, VALERIE JARRETT FORMER SENIOR ADVISER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA AND HEAD OF THE WHITE HOUSE COUNCIL ON WOMEN AND GIRLS.

WELCOME, WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU, WON ANY, THANK YOU FOR PUTTING A SPOTLIGHT ON THIS ISSUE.

>> AND THANK YOU FOR YOU WHAT YOU DO.

TELL US WHAT YOU ARE DOING NOW IN JUST IN TERMS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS BUT OTHER MAJOR ISSUES?

>> WELL, I'M HELPING PRESIDENT OBAMA LAUNCH HIS OBAMA CENTER WHICH WILL BE A PLATFORM FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AROUND ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US.

THERE ARE ISSUES THAT I CARE MUCH ABOUT, GENDER EQUITY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT BROADLY.

I'M TRAVELING AROUND THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD TAKING ABOUT ISSUES THAT I CARE A GREAT DEAL ABOUT.

>> AND WHAT ARE YOU SEEING THESE DAYS?

PROGRESS?

OR GOING BACKWARDS?

>> IT'S MIXED.

I THINK WE ARE IN A ZIG OF A ZAG IN WASHINGTON BUT I'M HEARTENED TO SEE AROUND THE COUNTRY SO MANY PEOPLE WHO RECOGNIZE THAT IT'S UP TO THEM TO PERFECT OUR UNION AND THEY HAVE TO ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES AND WORK HARD.

>> I WAS IN NEW YORK AT THIS EVENT SPONSORED BY PARADIGM FOR PARITY.

51 DIFFERENT COMPANIES ALL COMMITTED TO INCREASING THE PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN REPRESENTED AT SENIOR LEVELS IN THE COMPANIES AS WELL AS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

CLOSING THE PAY GAP.

RECOGNIZING HOW ARE WE GOING TO BE GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE UNLESS WE LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD AND HAVE ALL OF OUR TALENT ON THE PLAYING FIELD.

>> AND WITH 51 MAJOR CORPORATIONS AGREEING TO DO THIS.

HOW MUCH CLOSER DOES THAT GET US?

AND HOW QUICKLY HAVE THEY COMMITTED TO DOING IT?

>> LET'S PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE.

ONLY 6% OF FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES ARE WOMEN ARE THE C.E.O.S ARE WOMEN.

SO WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE WE HAVE GENDER EXWI TIP.

BUT -- EQUITY.

BUT WITH 51 COMPANIES AND THE NUMBER IS GROWING EVERYDAY THERE IS A RECOGNITION BY PEOPLE IN POSITIONS OF AUTHORITY THAT GENDER EQUITY IS A STRENGTH.

THIS IS NOT DOING THIS BECAUSE IT'S GOOD FOR WOMEN, IT'S GOOD FOR BUSINESS BECAUSE THERE'S MOUNTING EVIDENCE THAT SHOWS THAT BUSINESSES THAT HAVE GENDER EQUITY ARE MORE PROFITABLE.

SO YOU CAN MAKE A BUSINESS CASE FOR IT.

AND THEREFORE IT'S GOOD FOR WORKING FAMILIES, IT'S GOOD FOR WOMEN, IT'S GOOD FOR BUSINESS AND OUR ECONOMY.

AND LET'S FACE IT, RIGHT NOW, YOU CAN LIVE ANYWHERE AND WORK ANYWHERE.

AND IF YOUR GOAL IS SOMEBODY WHO IS RUNNING A COMPANY IS TO HAVE THE BEST TALENT YOU CAN HAVE, THEN INSURING YOU HAVE GENDER EQUITY WILL ENHANCE YOUR CHANCES OF BEING PROFITABLE.

>> ALSO DIVERSITY IS A HUGE ISSUE FOR YOU.

WHERE DO YOU SEE THE COUNTRY HEADED ON THAT?

LOOK FOR EXAMPLE, I LOOK AT THE CABINET, THE TRUMP CABINET AND IT IS SO MUCH LESS DIVERSE THAN ANYTHING GOING BACK TO EVEN GEORGE W. BUSH'S FIRST CABINET.

>> WELL, I THINK THAT DIVERSITY IS A STRENGTH.

I THINK THAT, AGAIN, IN A GLOBAL MARKETPLACE YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS IF YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE WHO REFLECT THAT MARKETPLACE.

WE HAVE A VERY DIVERSE COUNTRY AND WHEN PRESIDENT OBAMA WAS IN OFFICE IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HIM TO HAVE HIS CABINET SENIOR TEAM AT THE WHITE HOUSE REFLECT THE DIVERSITY OF THE COUNTRY SO HE WOULD RECEIVE IDEAS FROM ALL AROUND AND ALL PERSPECTIVES BEFORE HE MAKES AN IMPORTANT DECISION.

AS I TALK TO C.E.O.S I'M HEARTENED TO SEE THAT THEY ARE APPRECIATING THAT DIVERSITY IS A STRENGTH AS WELL.

WHEN THEY WANT TO COMPETE FROM ALL SHORES, THEY BETTER MAKE SURE THAT THE DECISION MAKERS ADVISING THEM AGAIN REFLECT THAT DIVERSITY.

ARE WE WHERE WE SHOULD BE?

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

ARE WE HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION IN TERMS OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR'S RECOGNITION?

SURE.

>> WHEN YOU WENT TO THE WHITE HOUSE WAS THERE ALREADY A COUNCIL ON WOMEN AND GIRLS OR DID YOU CREATE IT?

>> NO, PRESIDENT OBAMA CREATED IT IN MARCH OF 2009 A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER HIS INAUGURATION WITH THE RECOGNITION WITH THE VAST NUMBER OF FEDERAL AGENCIES THAT HE HAD, HE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT EACH AND EVERYONE OF THEM WAS FOCUSING ON GENDER EQUITY SO YOU WILL ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS AND POLICIES AND LEGISLATION HE WANTED US TO LOOK AT IT THROUGH THAT GENDER LENS AND SAY ARE WE IMPROVING THE LIFE FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS IN EVERYTHING WE ARE DOING.

>> DID YOU HAVE TO PUSH HIM TO DO IT?

>> NO, MY GOODNESS, NO.

HE WAS RAISED BY A SINGLE MOM AND LIVED WITH HIS GRANDPARENTS AND GRANDMOTHER.

HE WATCHED HER FRUSTRATION AS SHE WORKED FOR A BANK WITH A HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION AND REALLY SMART AND TRAINED PEOPLE THAT LEAPFROGGED OVER HER.

AND HE SAW HER SADNESS.

HE IS MARRIED TO THIS EXTRAORDINARY WIFE WHO APPRECIATES THE STRUGGLES OF RAISING CHILDREN WHILE TRYING TO HAVE A JOB BEFORE SHE CAME TO WASHINGTON WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG IN PARTICULAR.

AND HE HAS THE TWO GIRLS AND HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO COMPETE ON A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.

HE CAME TO IT QUITE NATURALLY AND RECOGNIZED THE FACT THAT IT HAD NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE AND WANTED TO DO IT IN A HOLISTIC WAY.

>> TODAY AS WE CONTINUE OUR CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH I'M PROUD TO SIGN THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER ESTABLISHING THE WHITE HOUSE COUNCIL ON WOMEN AND GIRLS.

IT IS A COUNCIL WITH A MISSION THAT DATES BACK TO OUR FOUNDING TO FULFILL THE PROMISE OF OUR DEMOCRACY FOR ALL OUR PEOPLE.

I SIGN THIS ORDER NOT JUST AS A PRESIDENT BUT AS A SON, A GRANDSON, A HUSBAND, AND A FATHER.

IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO ONLY HAVE INDIVIDUAL WOMEN'S OFFICES AND INDIVIDUAL AGENCIES, ONLY HAVE ONE OFFICE IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

RATHER, AS FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT ONCE SAID, IN OUR GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN IS NOT THE JOB OF ANY ONE AGENCY IT'S THE JOB OF ALL OF THEM.

SO I'M GOING TO GO SIGN THIS THING.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] >> THE COUNCIL ON WOMEN AND GIRLS IS MADE UP OF THE HEADS OF ALL CABINET LEVEL AGENCIES AND WHITE HOUSE OFFICES.

THE COUNCIL'S MISSION IS TO INSURE THAT ALL OF THE FEDERAL AGENCIES TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE NEEDS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN DEVELOPING POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND LEGISLATION.

>> WE FOCUSED ON EVERYTHING FROM WORKING WITH PEED YEAH AND TOY COMPANIES TO TRY TO DEAL WITH THESE BIASES THAT WE SEE IN OUR CHILDREN'S PLAY AND ENTERTAINMENT.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE SURE THAT SCIENCE IS COOL AGAIN AND THERE ARE GREAT PHOTOGRAPHS OF PRESIDENT OBAMA AT THE SCIENCE FAIR WITH THESE YOUNG GIRLS FIVE-YEAR-OLD GIRLS WITH CAPES GETTING READY TO CHANGE THE WORLD AND HE SAID I WANT TO LIFT THEM UP AND MAKE THEM APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT THEY CAN LITERALLY REACH FOR THE STARS.

AND WE FOCUSED ON SEXUAL ASSAULT ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

1 OF-5 -- 1-5 WOMEN ARE ASSAULTED.

THAT IS DEVASTATING.

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA HAD AN INITIATIVE CALLED REACH HIGHER AND MAKE ROOM TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE APPRECIATING YOUR FULL POTENTIAL AND LIVING UP TO IT.

AND WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT EDUCATION IS FOR THAT.

AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS OUT THERE.

WE WANTED TO EXPAND THEIR OPPORTUNITY AND ACCESS TO CAPITAL.

AND ALSO IMPORTANTLY HEALTHCARE.

>> TELL ME ABOUT HEALTHCARE.

WOMEN AND -- IT'S SUCH WOMEN -- IT'S A -- SO WELL REPEATED ALL OVER THE PLACE EVERYBODY KNOWS OR I HOPE EVERYBODY KNOWS WOMEN MAKE 80% OF THE HEALTHCARE DECISIONS FOR THE FAMILY.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

SO WHEN PRESIDENT OBAMA WAS CRAFTING THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HIM THAT AGAIN, JUST AS I SAID WITH EVERYTHING THAT WE LOOKED THE IT THROUGH A GENDER LENS.

AS THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WAS IMPLEMENTED, AN OUTSIDE GROUP OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERTS SAID THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE PREVENTATIVE CARE AS THEY DEFINE TO DO AVAILABLE TO WOMEN AND THAT IF WE ARE FOCUSING ON THE HEALTH OF OUR POPULATION, PREVENTATIVE CARE IS A KEY PART OF THAT.

SO THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT HAS PROVISIONS THAT INSURE THAT WOMEN CAN HAVE SCREENING FOR CANCER, ROUTINE WELLNESS VISITS, BIRTH CONTROL, COUNSELING FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ALL WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL COPAY.

AND THAT IS IMPORTANT SO WE CAN INCENTIVIZE WOMEN TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND THAT IS AT RISK AS WE KNOW AS CONGRESS IS LOOKING AT REPEALING IT AND PUTTING IN PLACE SOMETHING ELSE.

AND THE QUESTION WE SAY IS: ARE YOU MAKING LIFE BETTER?

ARE YOU MAKING LIFE BETTER FOR THE WOMEN YOU ARE THERE TO REPRESENT?

IF YOU ARE NOT, THEN DON'T DO IT.

AND ONE OF THE PROVISIONS IS TO TAKE FUNDING AWAY FROM PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE SERVED BY PLANNED PARENTHOOD EVERYDAY.

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT OPPORTUNITY AWAY FROM THEM?

>> AND WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING WHEN AND IF THIS COMES TO PASS THAT THE PLANNED PARENTHOOD BUDGET IS ZEROED OUT AT SOME POINT, THAT CLINICS START CLOSING ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, WHICH SOME ALREADY HAVE.

>> I THINK IT'S DEVASTATING.

IT WILL BE DEVASTATING.

>> POLITICALLY.

WE SAW FOR EXAMPLE THE WOMEN'S MARCH THE DAY AFTER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S INAUGURATION.

DO YOU SEE MARCHS, PROTESTS, VIOLENCE BREAKING OUT.

>> I HOPE NOT VIOLENCE.

I HOPE THE DEMONSTRATIONS ARE PEACEFUL.

BUT WHAT I THINK ABOUT I UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION BY ASKING ABOUT POLITICS.

LET'S LOOK AT THE IMPACT THAT IT WILL HAVE ON MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND OUR COUNTRY.

WE WANT WOMEN TO HAVE ACCESS TO THAT PREVENTATIVE CARE.

WE WANT WOMEN TO GO INTO FOR THE ROUTINE EXAMS.

IF YOU TAKE AWAY A MAJOR VEHICLE BY WHICH THAT SERVICE IS DELIVERED, IT'S GOING TO HAVE A DEVASTATING IMPACT.

I HAVE MET WOMEN WHO HAVE GONE TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD AND DETECTED BREAST CANCER EARLY.

AND THEY ARE LIVING TODAY.

WHAT IF THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THAT CLINIC?

AND DON'T GO IN AND GET THAT EXAM?

THEY WILL DIE.

AND SO RECOGNIZING JUST HOW SERIOUS A CONSEQUENCES ARE OF WHAT SEEMS TO BE A POLITICAL FOOTBALL.

THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN EMBODIED IN POLITICS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

WHY WOULDN'T WE WANT EVERY AMERICAN TO HAVE AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE?

WHY IS THAT A POLITICAL ISSUE?

THAT SHOULD BE A RIGHT IN A COUNTRY AS GREAT AND AS WEALTHY AS OURS.

AND WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW IS THAT RIGHT IS AT RISK AND IT'S GOING TO BE -- GOING TO HAVE IMPACT AND DISPROPORTIONATE WAYS AFFECTING WOMEN AND PEOPLE WHO ARE MIDDLE INCOME AND POOR.

AND WE SHOULDN'T DO IT.

YES, THERE WILL BE A REACTION.

BUT I'M SEEING A REACTION RIGHT NOW AND I'M HOPING IT WILL KEEP THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FROM DOING THE WRONG THING.

>> WHEN YOU WERE IN THE WHITE HOUSE, I KNOW YOU WERE NOT IN LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS, BUT YOU DEALT WITH CONGRESS.

DID YOU -- WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST SUCCESS DO YOU THINK?

>> WELL, WE DID HAVE MANY PARTICULARLY EARLY ON.

IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HAVE LEGISLATION THAT RIGHTED OUR ECONOMY.

THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS ONE OF THE MORE IMPORTANT INITIATIVES.

>> THAT WAS A NONPARTISAN -- A PARTISAN VOTE.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

I HEAR THAT A LOT PARTICULARLY LATELY.

IT WAS A PARTISAN VOTE BECAUSE THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP WOULD NOT ALLOW THEIR MEMBERS TO SUPPORT IT EVEN THOUGH WE MADE OVER 200 AMENDMENTS TO THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AT THE REQUEST OF REPUBLICANS.

WE HAD HUNDREDS OF MEETINGS, DEBATING THIS VERY COMPLICATED PIECE OF BUSINESS DESIGNING IT IN A WAY THAT WE COULD ELICIT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

AND WHAT HAPPENED AT THE END IS THAT THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP SAID UNDER NO CONDITIONS WILL WE SUPPORT PRESIDENT OBAMA'S LEGISLATION.

AND SO IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BIPARTISAN.

IT WAS MODELED AFTER MASSACHUSETTS THAT WAS PUT IN PLACE UNDER GOVERNOR ROMNEY.

TRADITIONALLY A REPUBLICAN PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

SO IT WAS BIPARTISAN.

THEY DID NOT VOTE FOR IT.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT THE OBAMA PRESIDENCY MADE PARTISAN DIVISIONS GREATER THAN THEY WERE?

>> I DON'T THINK HIS PRESIDENCY MADE IT THAT WAY.

I THINK AS WE'VE HEARD TOLD EARLY ON IN HIS ADMINISTRATION PERHAPS THE DAY OF THE ININAUGURATIONRATION LEADER McCONNELL HAD A MEETING WITH HIS COLLEAGUES AND SAID OUR NUMBER ONE OBJECTIVE IS TO INSURE THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA IS NOT REELECTED.

WELL, THAT WHY THEY COULDN'T VOTE FOR THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND COULDN'T VOTE FOR WHAT HAD BEEN BIPARTISAN INITIATIVES SUCH AS INFRASTRUCTURE FOR EXAMPLE.

IS BECAUSE THEY MADE UP THEIR MIND JUST TO SAY NO TO HIM.

IT DID NOT HAVE TO DO WITH THE PRESIDENT'S HIS PRESIDENCY IT HAD TO DO WITH THE POLITICAL DECISION MADE BY THE REPUBLICANS.

ONE WHICH I BELIEVE PUT THEIR SHORT-TERM POLITICAL INTERESTS AHEAD OF WHAT WAS GOOD FOR OUR COUNTRY AND OUR NATION'S PEOPLE.

>> NOW, LET'S GET BACK TO THE COUNCIL ON WOMEN AND GIRLS THAT YOU HEADED AND STARTED.

IT'S NOT THERE ANYMORE, I PRESUME.

>> NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE.

>> HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL?

>> PART OF WHAT WE TRIED TO DO WITH THE COUNCIL IS TO CREATE A MOVEMENT OUTSIDE OF THE WHITE HOUSE SO IT WOULD CONTINUE NO MATTER WHO SUCCEEDED PRESIDENT OBAMA.

SO BEFORE PRESIDENT OBAMA LEFT OFFICE IN 2016 WE HELD THE UNITED STATE OF WOMEN.

WE HAD 5,000 PEOPLE COME TO WASHINGTON TO THE CONVENTION CENTER AND COUNTLESS OTHERS WHO PARTICIPATED ON LIKE ON OUR PLATFORM TO TALK ABOUT WHAT ARE THE ISSUES THAT ARE SO IMPORTANT TO WOMEN AND GIRLS AND HOW COULD WE MOVE THOSE ISSUES FORWARD THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY?

SO AT STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR THROUGH ADVOCACY, THROUGH ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS WHO DO RESEARCH, OUR PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY HAVE COME TOGETHER AND FOCUSING ON GIRLS AND WOMEN OF COLOR AND ADDRESSING THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES THEY FACE, WE KNEW THERE WOULD BE MOMENTUM THAT BUILT OUTSIDE OF WASHINGTON AND THAT IS WHAT IT WAS ALWAYS ABOUT.

THAT WE THE PEOPLE, YES, WE CAN.

SO WE'RE HEARTENED TO SAY THAT THE UNITED STATE OF WOMEN IS A 501C3 AND IS LIVING AND BREATHING AND HAVING SUMMITS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHICH WILL LEAD TO ANOTHER BIG SUMMIT BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> HOW ARE YOU TRANSLATING THAT INTO POLITICAL ACTION, IF AT ALL FOR THESE WOMEN AND GIRLS?

>> WELL, I THINK THE ISSUE IS REALLY ONE OF INITIALLY SUBSTANCE.

OF COURSE WOMEN AND GIRLS WILL BE ACTIVE POLITICALLY AS WELL.

BUT OUR GOAL THROUGH THE UNITED STATE OF WOMEN IS FOCUS ON THE ISSUES AND TRY TO DO IT IN A WAY WHERE IT IS A BIG TENT.

IF YOU TAKE AN ISSUE LIKE AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE OR PAID LEAVE OR PAID SICK DAYS WE ARE STILL THE ONLY DEVELOPED COUNTRY IN THE WORLD THAT DOESN'T HAVE A FEDERAL PAID LEAVE POLICY.

EQUAL PAY.

THESE SHOULD NOT BE PARTISAN ISSUES BUT ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE IN OUR COUNTRY.

WOMEN NOW CONTRIBUTE SO MIGHTLY TO THE FAMILY INCOME HALF THE WORKFORCE 40% OF WORKING MOMS ARE THE SOUL OR PRIMARY BREAD WINNER.

A WOMAN'S CONTRIBUTION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.

THE POINT WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE IS TO LOOK AT THIS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE COUNTRY.

OUR ECONOMY, OUR BUSINESSES, AND OUR WORKING FAMILIES.

AND TO CREATE A BIG TENT SO EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

>> FOR THOSE WHO DON'T CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE FOR THOSE WHO FIGHT AGAINST PROVIDING PREVENTATIVE CARE FOR THEM AND FIGHT AGAINST A NATIONAL POLICY FOR EQUAL PAY OR PAID LEAVE THERE MAYBE POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES.

I HOPE SO.

BECAUSE I DO NOT BELIEVE THEY ARE LOOKING OUT FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR COUNTRY.

>> I WONDER WHAT YOU THOUGHT WHEN ONE OF THE EARLIER VERSIONS OF THE REPUBLICAN HEALTHCARE PLAN DIDN'T COVER MATERNITY BENEFITS.

>> THAT IS RIDICULOUS.

RIGHT?

IT'S RIDICULOUS.

AND I MET A WOMAN WHO TOLD ME SHE HAD HER BABY AND WAS INSURED UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND RECEIVED PRENATAL CARE AND DELIVERY AND POST NATAL CARE.

SHE IS GOING TO BE HEALTHIER AS A RESULT OF THAT.

AND AGAIN IN THIS GREAT COUNTRY, WHY DON'T WE WANT THAT FOR EVERY MOM?

>> AND LET'S GET BACK TO A QUESTION I WANTED TO ASK YOU, IT WASN'T DIRECTLY UNDER YOUR PURVIEW AS HEAD OF THE WHITE HOUSE COUNCIL ON WOMEN AND GIRLS BUT AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT THERE WAS I BELIEVE A 22-STAFF DEPARTMENT AROUND THE AMBASSADORSHIP THAT SECRETARY CLINTON CREATED I'M SURE WITH YOUR INVOLVEMENT >> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

>> AROUND THE GLOBAL AMBASSADOR FOR WOMEN'S ISSUES.

AND THAT MONEY WAS STRIPPED OUT OF THE BUDGET AND THE OFFICE ESSENTIALLY ALREADY HAS CLOSED DOWN.

EVEN BEFORE THE BUDGET WAS FINALLY APPROVED.

>> OBVIOUSLY THAT IS VERY DISAPPOINTING.

THE REST OF THE WORLD LOOKS TO THE UNITED STATES TO LEAD.

AND ON ISSUES HAVING TO DO WITH WOMEN AND GIRLS WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD A LEADERSHIP ROLE.

AND OUR HOPE IS TO SHARE BEST PRACTICES AND ENCOURAGE OTHER NATIONS TO FOLLOW OUR LEAD.

AND WHILE I WAS THERE, WE WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE U.N. GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WE CONVENED OTHER COUNTRIES WHO PLEDGED WITH US THEY WOULD MAKE EQUITY A PRIORITY.

AND SO PEOPLE LOOKED TO US AS THAT BEACON OF HOPE AND LEADERSHIP.

AND THAT LIGHT HAS DIMMED.

SO THE LEADERSHIP IS GOING TO AGAIN HAVE TO COME FROM THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD WHO RECOGNIZE IT IS TRULY IN THEIR SELF-INTEREST TO PRIORITIZE EQUITY FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS.

>> OUR EXECUTIVE PRODUCER WENT ON A TRIP WITH THEN SECRETARY CLINTON TO PERU WHERE SHE -- AND IT WAS JUST A 24-HOUR TRIP WHERE SHE FLEW DOWN, WENT TO A COUPLE OF PLACES WHERE WOMEN OWNED FACTORIES AND WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES.

ARE THOSE -- AND MADE A PUBLIC SHOW OF U.S. SUPPORT FOR THOSE KINDS OF VENTURES.

WHAT IMPACT WITHOUT THAT KIND OF SUPPORT -- WILL THESE BUSINESSES CONTINUE TO THRIVE WITHOUT AMERICAN SUPPORT?

OR WILL THERE BE SOMETHING LOST THERE?

WILL THEY CLOSE?

>> IT DEPENDS.

I THINK THERE IS A BIG VOID AND THE QUESTION IS WHO STEPS IN TO FILL THAT VOID.

UNDER OUR EQUAL FUTURES INITIATIVE WE HAD A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND THE PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY MY HOPE IS THEY WILL STEP US.

>> LIKE WAL-MART FOR EXAMPLE HAS SUPPORTS FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS IN TERMS OF WHOM IT USES AS SUPPLIERS AROUND THE WORLD.

THE FACT THAT THAT IS STILL GOING ON MAKEUP FOR ANYTHING IN THE WHITE HOUSE OR WHAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT WAS DOING?

>> IT'S IMPORTANT AND I'VE BEEN TO WAL-MART AND PARTICIPATED IN THE FORUM WHERE THEY FOCUSED ON HOW THEY ARE CREATING WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES AROUND THE WORLD BECAUSE THEY HAVE A HUGE BUYING POWER.

I HOPE IN THAT RESPECT WAL-MART WILL BECOME A MODEL.

AND MANY COMPANIES THAT ARE RECOGNIZING WHEN THEY DO THIS, NOT ONLY ARE THEIR WORKFORCES HAPPIER BUT THE CUSTOMERS ARE HAPPIER.

WE ARE SEEING MORE DEMAND IN THE MARKETPLACE FOR EQUITY.

AND MY HOPE IS IT CREATES AN INCENTIVE FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE.

DO WE HAVE A VOID?

SURE WE DO.

ARE MANY OF US COMMITTED TO FILLING THE VOID OUTSIDE OF WASHINGTON?

ABSOLUTELY.

>> CAN IT BE DONE?

>> IT CAN BE DONE BUT IT SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE DONE.

BECAUSE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE TO FILL IN THE BLANKS.

EXAMPLE, THERE ARE MANY COMPANIES IN THE FINANCIAL SERVICE AREA THAT ARE VERY HELPFUL IN TEACHING ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

GOLDMAN SACHS HAS A 10,000 WOMEN AND BUSINESS INITIATIVE WHERE THEY PROVIDE THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NECESSARY FOR THOSE BUSINESSES TO HAVE ACCESS TO CAPITAL, TO APPRECIATE HOW TO DO A BUSINESS PLAN TO EXPAND AND GROW.

WHAT WE WOULD HOPE IS THAT THERE WOULD BE OTHERS WHO WOULD FOLLOW THAT LEAD AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS AROUND NOT JUST OUR COUNTRY BUT THE WORLD.

>> GOLDMAN SACHS HAS A BIG PROGRAM AND ACTUALLY IS A SUPPORTER OF NOT US INDIVIDUALLY, BUT PBS WITH THE 10,000 WOMEN PROGRAM THAT IT HAS.

CAN THEY SHOW THAT THAT HAS THEM BUILD FORTUNES AND TAKEOVER COMPANIES AND DO ALL THE FINANCIAL THINGS THAT THEY DO?

>> WELL, I'M PRETTY SURE IF THEY DID NOT THINK IT WAS IN THEIR SELF-INTEREST, THEY WOULD NOT DO IT.

AND I THINK THAT IS THE CASE WITH MOST BUSINESSES.

THEY DO WHAT THEY THINK IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS.% BUT I AM HEARTENED TO SAY BECAUSE I AM FROM CHICAGO WITH A STRONG CIVIC BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP IS IMPORTANT.

WE TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT CITIZENSHIP IS THE MOST IMPORTANT OFFICE.

PRESIDENT OBAMA SAID THAT.

AND CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP IS IMPORTANT AS WELL.

HAVING CORPORATIONS WHO RECOGNIZE THAT THEIR BRAND IS ASSOCIATED WITH HOW THEY GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND THAT THEY WILL BE JUDGED ACCORDINGLY.

ENHANCES THEIR IMAGE AND THEREFORE THEIR BOTTOM LINE.

>> DO YOU THINK IS GOLDMAN SACHS BECOMING THE WEALTH ADVISER FOR A LOT OF YOUNG WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS?

ARE THEY SHOWING THERE IS A PAYBACK?

>> THAT I DON'T KNOW.

YOU HAVE TO CHECK WITH THEM ABOUT THAT.

BUT I WITH SAY IS THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY CORPORATIONS SMALL, MEDIUM AND LARGE AROUND OUR COUNTRY WHO RECOGNIZE THE VALUE IN GIVING BACK WHO RECOGNIZE THE VALUE IN HELPING OTHERS FOLLOW THEIR LEAD, PAYING IT FORWARD, PAYING IT BACK, HOWEVER YOU WANT TO DESCRIBE IT.

AND THE MODELING THAT GOOD BEHAVIOR AND PART OF WHAT WE WANT TO DO WITH THE UNITED STATE OF WOMEN SUMMIT IS TO SHOW WHAT WORKS.

AND WE DID THAT LAST YEAR IN WASHINGTON.

WHO ARE THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE REALLY CRACKING THIS NUT OF GETTING SENIOR WOMEN IN POSITIONS OF AUTHORITY WITHIN THE COMPANY?

HOW DO THEY DO IT?

HOW DO THEY DEVELOP THE PIPELINE?

>> AND HOW DO THE WOMEN DO WHEN THEY ARE IN THE SENIOR POSITIONS?

>> AND WHAT IS THE CULTURE IN THE COMPANY?

I HAVE SAID THAT TONE STARTS AT THE TOP.

AND IF YOU HAVE A C.E.O.

WHO SAYS THAT DIVERSITY IS A STRENGTH AND IS PREPARED TO STAND BEHIND AND CREATE THE KIND OF INITIATIVES THAT LEAD TO A DIVERSE WORKFORCE, AND THEN THEY SHOW HOW THEY DID THAT TO OTHER COMPANIES, THAT'S SUCCESSFUL.

SO THAT YOU CAN TAKE THESE SOLUTIONS TO SCALE.

AND WE WANT TO PUT A SPOTLIGHT ON WHAT WORKS AND HELP OTHERS FOLLOW THOSE LEADS.

>> THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR POSITIVE LEADERSHIP.

AND YOUR THOUGHT LEADERSHIP IN THIS AREA.

>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU, BONNIE, I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR WATCHING THIS EDITION OF TO THE CONTRARY.

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @BONNIEERBE AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE, PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY AND WHETHER YOU AGREE OR THINK TO THE CONTRARY, PLEASE JOIN US NEXT WEEK.

[♪♪] FOUNDATION.

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