“There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help each other,” former secretary of state Madeleine Albright famously told a crowd while standing alongside then-candidate Hillary Clinton and feminist icon Gloria Steinem.
Now, nearly a year after Clinton's loss to you-know-who, the coast appears clear for female Sanders supporters — so much so that the women behind the post-inauguration Women's March on Washington have asked Sanders to give an opening night speech at their convention event in Detroit later this month.
One of the organizers of the Women's Convention tells the Free Press that Sanders is the right choice because he's "one of the most powerful U.S. senators ... on progressive issues, women’s issues, mobilizing millennials.”
Many women embraced the news, which broke Thursday morning. But some were unable to get past the fact that Sanders, a man, has been selected for a prime speaking slot at a women's event.
#reclaiming our time? Not this way @womensmarch. Bernie Sanders to deliver speech at Women's Convention https://t.co/0IgNVjqnLE via @freep
— Juliet Rogers (@julietrogers) October 12, 2017
Hundreds of thousands of women attended the Women's March on Washington on Jan. 21, the day after Donald Trump's inauguration. Many of them came clad in "pussy hats" described as symbols of support and solidarity for women's rights and political resistance.I just can't w/ @BernieSanders headlining the Women's March Convention. With all the women in govt & activism fighting the good fight... pic.twitter.com/bIJO4fp5m1
— Juliana Amin (@jules_amin) October 12, 2017
The Women's Convention, a three-day event to begin Oct. 27, is an outgrowth of that march. Thousands of women are expected to attend, according to the convention's website:
The Women’s Convention will bring thousands of women, femmes and our allies of all backgrounds to Detroit from October 27 - 29, 2017, for a weekend of workshops, strategy sessions, inspiring forums and intersectional movement building to continue the preparation going into the 2018 midterm elections.
Tapping into the power of women in leadership as the fundamental, grassroots force for change, the Women’s Convention will bring together first time activists and movement leaders, rising political stars that reflect our nation’s changing demographics, and thousands of women who’ve organized sister marches, huddles, rallies and resistance actions, large and small, since January 2017.
The event will be held at Cobo Center. Tickets are $295.
