No matter the results of today’s election, I have a good feeling about the future of feminism and inclusion thanks to TheWrap’s inaugural Power Women Summit. Held November 1 and 2, the event brought together 1,500 people, mostly women, to discuss the current state of gender in entertainment, media, technology, and the larger world — and how we can tangibly make things more equitable.
Amid the speeches, panels, mentorship, and networking — and the discussions with other members of the Women and Hollywood community — the major through-line was one of mutual support. Everyone who participated or attended the Summit wanted to help one another in any way they could.
Sharon Waxman, TheWrap’s founder and CEO, organized the event because she wanted to honor the incredible strides women have made with Time’s Up and #MeToo in the past year. Anita Hill, Barbara Boxer, Nicole Boxer, and Alyssa Milano wanted to reassure everyone that change is possible, even if it’s slow, and can be brought forth at the polls. Tarana Burke and Mira Sorvino wanted to offer community and empathy to fellow survivors of sexual violence. Jill Soloway and Rebecca Sugar wanted to open up a dialogue about how feminists can be more inclusive towards nonbinary individuals. The event organizers wanted to pay tribute to women directors via a screening of “Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché” and sneak peeks of Mimi Leder’s “On the Basis of Sex,” Susanne Bier’s “Bird Box,” and Catherine Hardwicke’s “Miss Bala.”
Our own Melissa Silverstein wanted to help forge connections between women in the industry and figure out ways to combat its rampant sexism by bringing 25 members of the Women and Hollywood community to the event — and moderating two panels featuring female storytellers.
The Summit was also dedicated to lifting up women artists and entrepreneurs. A marketplace of small, women-run businesses was open during the second day, and included goods such as jewelry, nail polish, perfume, and homewares. Feminist and women-made art — photography, sculptures, paintings, and light installations — lined the event’s halls.
HAIM opened up about dealing with sexism and pay inequality in the music business before performing a three-song set. Diane Warren sang at the closing ceremony, and offered the rallying cry of “Vote the motherfuckers out of office” before leaving the stage.
This is only skimming the surface of what the Power Women Summit offered, but suffice to say it was an incredible experience. It was inspiring to see so many women come together. To be honest, it was a relief, too. As the backlash to #MeToo, and women in general, grows, it’s encouraging to know that the feminist movement is gaining momentum as well. The Summit provided a much-needed reminder that powerful women are not the minority.
So, no matter what happens in the midterms, I have a lot of confidence and hope for women in the coming years. We’re not going away — that’s the point the Power Women Summit drove home. We’ll keep congregating at these events, listening to each other, and offering our help. As HAIM crooned in their final song, we won’t back down.
