thank you to our audience. [applause] [inaudible conversations] there she is. you're watching booktv, television for serious readers. you can watch any program you

see here online at booktv.org. good evening everybody. [applause] my name is pam thorton and we're happy to be here this evening. one bit of house keeping please, turn your cell phones off or dim them or make them on vibrate or behaver you prefer. all right with that housekeeping -- other thing is, at the ends of the program please remain see thed. we're going to have you exit in orderly fashion for those who want books signed and those who don't. so we'll get to that later.

tonight we're with honored to have two amazing leaders and role models civil seal richards is a women's health reproductive rights and social change directors. she began her career helping garment workers hotel workers, and nursing hole aids by better wages and better work conditions. after years in labor movement, she moverred back home to texas to help elect the state's first democratic women governor, her mother, and richards. [applause] >> so she went on to start her own grassroots organizations and later served as deputy chief of staff to house democrat leader nancy pelosi. [applause] in 2011 and 2012 named one of "time" magazine 100 moat influential people in the world. richards is former president of

planned parenthood federation -- of america. [applause] and then plaid parenthood action pungdz a frequent speaker commentator on issues related to women's rights and activism. our moderator for this evening hillary rodham clinton. [applause] [cheering] has a long career of civic engagement as a politician, [laughter] first lady, senator, and secretary of state. she's a passionate supporter of human rights, women's rights and equal rightings. in 2017, after a her campaign to become president of the united states, she founded a group called onward together which encourages civil engagement of young leaders to organize, get involved, and run for office.

she's also a best selling author, a local author -- whose titles include it attacks a village and other ease lessons children teach us, hard choices. and what happens with chronicle 2016 campaign for president. and more popular candidate as ever there was one. [applause] please join me in welcoming to the stage, civil seal richards and hillary rodham clinton. [cheering and applause]

hello. thank you all so much. thank you so much. wow it is great to -- hold this event in the new chappaqua performing arts center. i think it's a great edition to chappaqua and i want to thank pam and library for helping to put this on and sponsoring it. thank you very much, pam. and to all of you who are -- are here not a seat left for this conversation. you know, i am absolutely delighted to be the one lucky enough to ask some questions and share some observations with cecile.

i highly recommend her book, make trouble. it's a great read. i love the words on the top standing up, speaking out and finding the courage to lead. that's true right now for everyone. and so i thank her for really telling her story but in a way that inspires i think others to think about what each of us can do. and so welcome to chappaqua. i love it here. [applause] now i know why you live here. so nice people. >> isn't it nice. we love it and we're a little tired of the rain but it is -- it's a beautiful place with a lot of wonderful people. we have a lot to cover there's so much to talk about. and i usually have been on receiving ends of questions. some better than others. i will tell you -- but i have thought a lot about

what i could ask cecile but i want to tell her and tell all of you whatever direction you want to take this in, whatever you want to talk about, this -- this group here is going to be interested because we are excited to have you here and really to celebrate your leadership. which has been so -- extraordinary. [applause] now, you know, i recently wrote a bock as pam said, and it wasn't -- it wasn't easy to do, and i really found it to be a kind of cathartic challenging but rewarding experience, and one of the best parts was traveling around talking to people meeting them, hearing their, their concerns and their questions, and i want to ask you what's it been like being on this book

snow tour because your book came out and you've been all over the country and what have you heard? what have you seen, what have you felt about all of the encounters and events that you have had? >> so well, first thank you for writing your back because it was cathartic for all of us -- it was so important and you were so personal in it and talked about all of the things that we all lived through in one way or another so i appreciate that and important time for all of us to tell all of these stories so we can, you know, move on and -- and do more. the book tour has been fantastic. but it has been -- been less leak a book tour more like tent revivals around the country. i think, and i know, i mean, i'm so curious what you're seeing because you're speaking everywhere i've been an organizer my whole life and never seen outpouring of just grassroots organizing people -- not waiting for instructions,

not waiting for someone to ask to do something. and they're showing up at the book events. to talk about the book but also just to talk what's the theme at what do we do in this time and it has been incredibly inspiring and not just the usual suspects. i think, you know, there are folks like us who probably have been doing this more or less all of our lives but i'm meeting women in their 80s who have never volunteered for anything showing at planned parenthood and volunteering every woke and young women in their teens who are absolutely -- on fire. so it has been really everyone in the wake of this disastrous presidency and we don't have to go there too deeply. [laughter] but it has just been i think people have had the opposite reaction that i think some people expected you know, that they -- not only were women marches largest marchs in the history of the united states of america. yeah. which was great. [applause] but people could have just taken

their hats off and gone home. but, in fact, they just kept going so that's what i've been seeing. >> i have to say one of the parts of your book that i really laughed outloud over was -- your determination to nit your own hat that's what we do and if we don't learn but it wasn't pretty and i did it. yeah. >> i just love that because -- eventually you have to go seek expert help at a nitting shop as i recall right? >> i did. but again folks here that nitted their own pussy hat or yeah exactly. but yeah, i arrived in the nitting shop, you know, frantic because i had to only had a couple of days left and march was coming, and there was more pink yarn than eye could see and minute i got in there women are are trading hats. they're trading ideas. they've got their daughter, teacherring their daughters to nit i think it was really somewhat a metaphor but women coming together and doing

extraordinary things like nitting a hat. [laughter] >> but i find that really gratifying, you know there's a beginning and an end. >> exactly. and you just keep beginning and go on to the next thing. [laughter] you know, in this book -- there's so many great stories and i want to cover as much ground as possible. but one that really struck me was -- how when you're invited for the interview, for the jobs to be president of planned parenthood, you almost didn't go? and in the way it comes across in the book is, well, you know you weren't sure. you either wanted it or you could get it. you were kind of -- you know, up in the air about it. and, you know, it struck me that still for a lot of women, and i see a lot of young women when they're apt to apply for a job, or take on some new responsibility, they're also up in the air. they're not sure. and so -- tell us a little bit about your

experience. but also then you became the leader for what 12 years of -- this very important hundred-year-old organization. and you had a lot of women and a lot of young women working across the country to talk a little bit about your journey and then you you lied to encourage more twoam take on more responsibility. >> yeah. well it's funny because i know you write about it in your book too as woman a lot of times this is really what happened to me when they called and asked me to interview. i was just, of course, like i like, you know, look what me, and so -- , of course, i had all of the about ares why i wasn't qualified. i had never den a job like this. i've never taken on any -- i sort of used and running scrappy nonprofits, and planned parenthood was like oh, my gosh. so i -- really was like this close to not going to the interview and i stopped at a coffee shop and i did what any grown woman would do i called my mother, and i said -- i said mom i just don't, i don't think i can do this, and kids are --

too young or too, you know, this and that, and she just said i don't know if you ever met my mother and richards because she was like she was not having it. she just said, cecile get it together. this is the most important opportunity of your life time. you will never forgive yourself if you don't that i attack thate and what's the worse that could happen because i think as women we start to project all of the things that are going to happen rather than doing the next thing so i -- i mean, of course, many of you know any mom she got rick right after that, and she didn't even live until the end of the year. so in many ways last gift my mother gave me to go to that interview at planned parenthood i carry her with me every day wearing her pin my sheriff badge that was hearse. but i -- so i'm grateful that she did that and that was moll's attitude had is this is only life you have so do it now. and no regrets.

i do think, though, to your other point with so many incredible people that work at planned parenthood if i can go to shout every single day so amazing. yes, fearless. [applause] but -- i think you've had the same experience. i've had so many women brilliant talented ambitious, and when they're offered a new job or a graze raise or proi remember this one woman she said i haven't finished my ph.d. yet i really don't think -- and i have never had a man in my entire lifetime say, i just don't think i'm ready for that. that new opportunity. so this is a time i think for women right -- you're smiling because i know you've seen it too. right? >> i've lived it and i've seen it. i know, i know of all a of the young women i've hired promoted and have worked for me over the years and all a of the young men

who -- i'm equally fond of. you're absolutely right. i mean, you ask a young woman or you tell her look, i think you can take on more responsibility. i would like to see you try this. and -- the first five minnesotas you're all of the reasons why that is not a good idea. with a young man it's like why did you take so long so did you ever used words that your mother told you -- like -- what's the worst thing that could happen? >> absolutely. and -- i mean, for my own daughters -- and for other women that i meet. because i do think in that's -- i think what we're seeing in these book events that's mainly what women are asking is okay what should i do? and i think in some ways this is a moment where -- and again i think this is a lot of ann richard -- sprinkled throughout the book but i do think she, you know, she waited a long time before she got to actually kind of be liberated people say what was it like to have ann richards as my

mother and most of my life she was just my honestly she was a housewife we called it in the day and you know you know the -- background. and it wasn't until much later that she actually got to kind of women movement came along and she lost her mind. it was just like -- no going back. [laughter] so she was -- , she was so impatient for women to not wait their turn. not wait to be asked -- and i think that's this is a moment right now -- in this country if there were ever a moment for women not to wait to be asked -- this is it. >> amen. i agree with that. [applause] let's just talk a little bit more about your mom because she was hugely infliewn tocial so influential to many of us and one of the many pieces of her advice which you share in the book which i mentioned it to you -- you will know that --

it came as something of a -- bolt to me her advice if you're going to be a come in the public eye you'll save yourself a lot of trouble if you pick a hair style and stick with it. [laughter] i think she gave you that advice. >> yeah. yes. >> now you know how i feel. >> exactly. >> yeah, she had a lot of opinions -- and -- [laughter] but generally pretty practical good advice that was a frustrating thing with a lot of opinions they were usually correct but like better to go along with them. >> just say yes because you're going to get there anyway. [laughter] well she was -- you know someone who, obviously, inspired you as she did so many, so many others. and it was interesting -- in your book where, you know, when you have -- and you have two very active parents your father was very active civil rights lawyer. involved in all kinds of things.

your mom ended up running for office became a county commissioner. so when you became old enough to go to college, you decided to go far away spread your own wings and off you went to brown. but you were at brown only for a year. right? >> uh-huh. >> and then you decided you had to go before an activist yourself and cam back but talk a little bit about how you found your own path -- similar to your parents values, ideals and about vism but you really made it your own and -- ended up being a labor organizer. >> right. which was not the career path that brown university graduates took, and when i was at school but i never really -- been out of texas much. and those were not the days when people took their kids and looked at college, i mean, my father still never been to rhode island so --

[laughter] and so it was -- it was really like just cold turkey out there on your own web and it took a while for me to find my sort of fellow troublemakers i guess. but it wasn't brown. one i got an excellent education so incredible school. but it was also place where i learned to really -- kind of question authority you know there was a janitor strike that i got really involved in. there was a move to divest from south africa within and at the time that was unheard of. it was -- it was really interesting i think as a -- social justice organizer and the work that we all are in -- is that you, you know, you begin to realize that -- that justice doesn't come immediately it can be a long haul and one of my best experiences was at brown, when we thought to divest from south africa, in fact, i didn't go to graduation because someone had to unbanner to the second floor. window -- and it seemed like why not me? but --

but the good thing is even i remember they thought we were crazy and administration this was never going happen well, of course, brown became a first university to divest from south alaska that movement became incredibly important in international movement. to -- sort of to change the what was going on in the apartheid government and 30 years later they gave nelson mandela an honorary degree. so it was one of the things where you think i know a lot of times people now they want to know what to do because they think if they can do one thing it would somehow all be better. that was certainly i know you heard that all of the time after the election. and sometimes it -- you don't know exactly what the impact will be. but you just have to keep doing the right thing and so we know the ark of -- you know, the ark of history is bends towards justice but takes a long team. i think that's a really important -- message that yes. you don't know that an action you start today is going to have the result that you hope for and

even expect right away. and, in fact, there are a lot of setbacks, and -- so many challenges and because you decided when you graduated from brown that you were going to be a full-time organizeer you really decided that that was your mission. your purpose. and i think that's more important than the short-term goals that you're trying to set. if, you know, look i want to be on the side of justice. i want to be on the side of people who -- need their voices heard. and they're such really great stories in your book about organizing, you know, not starting with janitors at brown. but going on and nursing home workers, and then in east texas. which was not an easy place to organize. and you met with them in -- living rooms and truck stops, everywhere. but the stories you tell and the really vivid portrayals you give of these hard working people who

get up every day and they do the jobs that we all take for granted and need done. but which we don't particularly value and we don't treat the people who do them with the dignity that they deserve. so kind of run through some of your organizing experiences from east texas to l.a. >> well, i think and again i just feel like we, you know, knowing your history, and having read all that you've been involved with we do come out of the same area of the country where there are folks struggling to make a living and to make it make it by so i did start in -- start in, you know, southern texas where i know you and the president spent time registering voters and still there's a lot that hasn't been done and as we know under current governor in texas, things aren't getting better. but it was, you know, organizing workers spending too many with hotel workers in new orleans who went in working for the minimum wage working two shifts, just to

try to, you know, keep their families together. east texas african-american women in east texas were only jobs you could really get where nursing home or wal-mart opened up maybe there, and yet these women -- with, you know, they didn't have two nickels to rub together and yet therm willing to take the risk to a even lose that job to fight for something better for themselves and their families an their communities and that was so inspiring. and so sometimes now -- you know in this work i do at planned parenthood a lot of same women that depend on planned parenthood so i feel like my life has come full circle which is why congress is -- sorry i don't mean to keep getting political but they -- i just want to say to them, you know, women don't come to planned parenthood to make a political statement but because they need affordable health care and in many parts of the country planned parenthood is it. that's all they got and so -- [applause] but -- i --

i realize every day what a privilege i have had to be a troublemaker if you will if that's my career because a lot of folks doangts get to choose what they do for a living most of this country they don't get to choose. we get to choose. the folks in this room for the most part, and -- so i think it helped me one to recognize that privilege and also recognize the obligations that i think we all have. to do more than we're doing. that's just the bottom line truth right now. and -- as my friend lauren feater son coauthor of this saying if you're not scaring yourself you're probably not doing enough right now so i think it is a -- and it's not just an eat spinach book but being involved in history election and opportunities and campaigns, can be not only it can change the world, it will change your life because you'll meet the most amazing people on along the

path. >> one you is your husband. so fantastic, and -- and you all -- just reading this book you have so much fun. there you were -- fighting every day to try to get more pay and more -- and safer working conditions for hotel workers and in new orleans or for nursing home workers and east texas. or for janitors in l.a. but you were having fun. you lived in little tiny rented houses, i think, with i think one of them you moved in in east texas and neighbors said thank goode whans did they tell you? >> i don't know if you ridden to tyler, texas but we have a you know van packed with all of the our worldly possessions. we moved in and a the couple next door -- came and brought us some tyler roses which was sort of thing to do and they said -- we're so glad that you moved in because there has been a negro

family that had been living there before you were -- and little did they know that our house -- last union organizing center became the gathering spot for every african-american woman in tyler, texas, and so -- [laughter] it was -- [applause] but -- >> i love that story. >> you know, also just a partnership that you and kirk had from the very moment that you began working together. i guess in new orleans or was it in washington. >> new orleans right i loved the -- the setting of the scene where you're trying to raise money for your organizeing effort and -- you're going arranged what selling fried fish sandwiches or dinners. >> we did everything. we did anything. and that's what i said boy once you sold fried -- fried fish suppers for a living you'll never starve. you can always make a living but kurk was great. kirk is here tonight actually and he's kind of a hero of

this -- whole book. so thank you kirk, in fact, gail king was like kirk, i like kirk and she's like immaterial -- i want to meet kirk. kirk has to write his own book that's true. >> that's a good idea. but then you went to l.a. and it was -- a bit of a culture shock between, you know, east texas and new orleans and l.a. but the problems were the same weren't they? i mean the same kind of issues -- huge skyscrapers in houston -- >> in los angeles -- in los angeles. especially being cleaned by -- immigrant janitors who many of whom had i mean their stories of getting to the united states just to try to make something better of their lives. an how frightening what they had been through you know just to even to get to l.a. and then working at minimum wage. and, of course, for women working nights in a --

building was terrible. and yet they were willing to risk are all of that. to organize and, and, of course, they sent half their paycheck back home to wherever their family, country their family were living in but that was one of those -- examples and where it was a great organization example because we actually organized all of downtown los angeles. and then everyone which wily century city and now all of janitor in that city -- that work in these big buildings earn a living wage with full benefits and that would have never happened if folks hadn't organized. [applause] but it's -- it's like it just -- i mean just to say it's like working with immigrants which i did for a long time every single day to see what is being said about immigrants is so wrong. and not just heartbreaking it is maddening. because as we know and most parts of the country, immigrants do work that no one else will do. and they have built this country

and continue to do it every day. an they deserve better from us. [applause] it's becoming clearer because i've been as you might guess following this and -- agricultural groups including i recently sawed egg commissioner of texas begging for more workers because a lot of their traditional seasonal or year round workers have fled or been deported. and we have crops rotting in the fields in california. so just take that one success tore of our economy and you know fruit has been inexpensive in the united states compared to the rest of the world and we are making it more and more expensive while losing a lot of people with the expertise and experience do the work and then you can go into other industries and -- basically find the same.

well now your daughter lilly was born when you were -- in l.a. this is what i thought so you have -- you have three kids you want to tell everybody about your three wonderful kids? >> sure, so there's lilly -- the first grandchild ann richards just, you know, she's -- ann richards loved this little girl and i feel like i was a genetic connection between her and lilly adams so, of course, she was -- s sheep gottenned to a lot of campaign work worked on for a lot of people but nothing touched getting to work for you and your campaign. it's just a -- change to a life. [applause] so twins hannah and daniel also both troublemakers in their own way. daniel is a chemistry student and hannah is an organizer and she so they're -- i'm very, very blessed. very, very lucky -- >> well, obviously, i've gotten to know lilly really well because she did work for me and

you and i share the lilly connection also the warren peterson connection because lauren now works for me as well. so we have similar views about really highly qualified extraordinary young women. so you're in l.a., and you and kirk are working really, really hard organizing janitors primarily immigrants. when all of a sudden your mother calls you. >> i know. and so -- what did ann have to say this sometime? >> well, you know, mom made the speech in atlanta, and which some of you may remember and a, in fact, people stop me all of the time and stop me, repeat the lines -- [laughter] and that just sort of like wow, her star just like went off. you know, and because she was state treasurer at texas which was not a big high profile job. certainly not now. but -- anyway, she decides to run for governor and this is the days when -- i mean, it was like all come home.

mom need you and we pack up the yiewrks haul put lilly in her car seat and helped her -- become the first woman elected in her own right governor of the state of texas and then it was awesome. i mean -- i particularly love the stories and scene setting of that campaign in texas it reminded me of my, you know, campaigns and particularly the campaigns in arkansas because there were a lot of county fairs and a lot of special echghtses you know watermelon events and pumpkin events and tamale esktses and just all kinds of events. you have not lived until you've been to the fest in right where they celebrate the yam -- [applause] [laughter] yeah. well -- you know yams are important, and they weren't meant to be a corsage i'm just saying --

but just stories being there day in and day out with lilly and sometimes with your siblings and just going from place to place. i have to say that's when campaigning was opinion. i really -- it's hard to describe because tfsz a different beast but back when ann was going from county to county and even in my first race here in new york it was so personal and you got to know people and you spent time with people and you looked them in the eyes and they looked you in the eye, and you built a connection and -- you know now -- with social media and everything else going on -- that has become harder and harder and i think it has unfortunately -- really undermined our politics. but in that campaign you and kirk and your family were totally focused and she won and it was such a great victory and

not only did she win but she brought the hopes of -- hundreds of thousands to austin when she was sworn in and she did a great job but there was one moment that i remembered and you write about where -- she vetoed a bill and she knew. she knew it was going to hurt her but what was that -- but no there was a bill that allowed folks to carry concealed handguns. and -- mom thought it was wrong as she used to say, you know, i don't know of a woman who can find her lipstick in her purse much less a handgun that is going to save her if she's attacked, and ironically well so she did. she vetoed that bill and it did cost her, of course, she was -- she was defeated in her reelection.

by george bush, but, of course, now this state of texas folks, aren't carrying conceal handguns they're just carrying guns everywhere. it is so devastating to see what's happened in a relatively short period of time. and that what -- frankly the gun lobby has done and, i mean, i, you know, people ask a lot of times if there were one thing you wave a wand and ce about in this country it would be to me to get guns to -- get rid of the insanity we have about guns and assault weapons everywhere and get back to common sense gun laws in america. it is just -- [applause] tragic. this -- i mean i think that stayed a perfect story to illustrate because this was in the early 90s.

this was not 50 years ago. and determined interests, organizations and individuals on the other side never ever quit. they were relentless, and i'm hoping that because of the courage and civic involvement of the young parkland students and others that we will make common sense gun safety a voting issue. and because other side that is their issue period and you know this audience and the two of us, we care about a lot of things, and as a result we're not single minded and a i think we have to take unfortunately a lesson from how effective the other sides 'organizeing turns out to be. the next -- the next stop on this amazing making trouble journey -- after you did some work in texas, helping to organize,

again an activist group. you were off to washington, and you helped to start an organization called america vote. what was that? >> well that was the -- it was a realization that we had that there were a lot of these great organizations in the country the sierra club, planned parenthood and -- emilys list, and labor movement, but none of them they actually didn't even know each other really the heads of the organizations in many cases had never even met and thought was wow. what if we all sat down at the table and figure it out -- who is registering which voters who is talking to which voters and is turning out which voters so instead of everybody talking to same five people we might spread it out and it was great. it still exist to this day, and it is the one way that -- and it has been really interesting to see because i think, you know, i -- have had the pleasure and honor of working for planned parenthood to build our capacity to work in this arena --

but some areas we're not the best messager and so i think one of the things we learn through america votes is if in pittsburgh, it's better for planned parenthood folks to volunteer with a steel workers go door to door that's what we do. so i think it was a strategic move for progressive community to use their dollars more intelligently i think also to build the kind of relationships that frankly today -- we really need. i mean this is a time i think more than ever in my lifetime -- that people are recognizing that being a single issue group without actually recognizing how ho all of this how we're all connected together it's the way we're going to change what's happening in america. so some of those relationships that started america vote had continued on to today, and have helped i think do things like defeat the effort last year to repeal obamacare. you know -- >> yep, well i know there's so much debate and so much --

unfair unjustified attacks on planned parenthood qhald you like people in not just this audience but people in america what's the one thing you wish everybody understood about planned parenthood? >> i guess that -- we, you know, we provide health care to about 2.5 million people every year and for many of the folks we're their only health care provider and one in five have been there including me when i went away to college and i had no idea where to go and for all of the -- for all of the nay sayers -- including a lot of people that are in congress right now -- we do more at planned parenthood to reduce unintended pregnancy than any organization in america and we do that work every single day. and so -- for all of the -- [applause]

i just -- you know, i go to a lot of health centers, and we have folks with picket signs yelling at women trying to get into a health insure. and i want to roll down the window and say if you want to reduce abortion in this country you would put down your signs and you come in and volunteer at planned parenthood because we're trying to get birth control to women than any other organization so this is like work we have to do. >> you know, that's what is so -- frustrating about this debate because we are i believe right now -- at an all-time low in -- in abortions. we are -- that's right since wade and we're headed in the right direction if you don't approve or that's not your choice, then you can say well look, what we're doing is, quote, working. even if you are, you know, on the other side. and we also see unfortunately,

though, this attack on planned parenthood is an attack on family planning. it is an attack on birth control. and that's what's always boggling the mind. because these -- the folks in congress that you're referring to they don't stop with their criticism at their, their difference regarding abortion. they go on to try to -- limit planned parenthood ability to provide cancer screenings to provide protection and treatment for stds for helping women get referrals for all kinds of physical and mental ailments. as well as prescribing birth control. how did this happen? that this became so -- much of a flash point when again if you sort of look at the facts and if you really care about these issues, you know you would give planned parenthood a big

vote of confidence. >> yeah. well i think that -- as we know the unfortunately moderate republicans have been really shut out, and although i just want to say in the, you know -- in the big fight over this last year and a half to preserve excess to planned parenthood and access to the affordable care act -- we would have been able to win that fight without two brave republicans suzanne collins and important that we recognize that. but -- the i think that the way that this president in particular and his administration is and frankly the congressional leaders paul ryan -- mitch mcconnell they are playing to -- yeah. well paul ryan is retiring. so just say that. but it is incredible to me that -- because it's as you say it's one thing if they say well we're going to to try everything we can to, you know, attack abortion. blah, blah, blah, but right

now -- this administration is trying to take away the right of twoam get birth control in their insurance plan by letting your boss decide whether you get birth control okay. under obamacare we won that for 62 million women in this country, and it is in revolutionary absolutely changed everything. so they are going to do that even though low rate of teenage pregnant in the history of the u.s. but ending the teen prevention program and most roongtly and ting may be even being announced tonight by the president who is speaking at a big -- antiabortion group -- they're now trying to -- and i know you're familiar with the global gag rule because, of course -- we have lived with this when republicans came in office this administration is now trying to roll out a domestic gag rule which would -- now, this is important because everyone in this audience needs to be aware because this is going to be enormously important.

basically saying -- if you provide abortions you can no longer participate in the family planning program in this country. which you know four million plus folk do. if you're a doctor -- you cannot and you participate in the family planning program, even if you don't perform abortions -- you cannot actually refer a patient to an abortion provider you're gagging medical providers from giving pll advice that is completely legal to their patients. this has never happened in america. and so -- we have gone so far beyond anything that anyone ever imagined and only way to win this fight is people are going to have to rise up, and say we are not going to go to place where doctors in america cannot take care of women. it's just frightening. and you know they just announced

they're going to try to -- well probably push it through the house, and i don't know what will happen in the senate. as insdz their gag rule it is not even exceptions for rape or insist -- >> so we have literally is rolling out because they were going to roll it outside and surprise, surprise, they weren't organizeed and ready to do is and so we're literally right now even as we're coming on stage the text is just becoming available. so i don't know specifics but it is bad and good thing is docs, physician groups are all opposing this so it is important not only to women health community but the medical community rise up and say we are not going to go to a place where doctors are not athroughout the take care of their patients so we'll get the first details anyone interested in this should go to planned parenthood stay many touch with them they'll be rolling out what's happening i think being done a rally this week. but i mean this is just --

again this is women's health but i can talk about so many examples of an administration that is -- that is -- just going back to not the 1950s we're talking like the 1990s it is really frightening. well it is -- >> a apartment of this all out assault on facts and evidence, and reason -- you know you mentioned teenage pregnancy. back in the 90s i helped to start the national campaign to -- try to curb two pregnancy and we tried a lot of different things and then we got the evidence about what worked and guess what. real information to both young women and young men about being responsible and providing, you know, guidance to them. answering their question withs -- buzz so many of them had nowhere else to go. you do a lot of that counseling at planned parenthood, and the net result is as you rightly say we have the lowest rate of teen pregnancy in our recorded country's history. and now they want to basically

get rid of all of that evidence based work that has -- been done over the course of -- 25 years an they want to go back to what they call abstinence only which doesn't work if it worked you could say well here's your choice you can have that evidence based effective -- approach or this other effective base approach but we know what works with young people they get so much false information an they get so much -- , you know, they are exposed to so much information that is neither reflective of -- you know caring responsible behavior and relationships or everyone just -- basic information but this is so troubling as you say it is not just in this arena, it is across the board. it's ideology is driving policy. not facts, not evidence. not good results, and effectiveness, and you probably

were in the center of that storm more than anybody else in -- in, you know, the country after the election. >> well you've been in it too. i mean -- [laughter] , in fact, i just have to say i don't know if i'll have another you all know i spent a cool five plus hours in front of one congressional committee which was -- [applause] unbelievable. but the first call i got when i got out of that hearing was from this woman right here. and -- it meant i think that's -- it's important to say that because -- you'll never, i mean, that's just what you do that's the person you are. you'll never know how much that meant to me. and i do think at this time and which the world feels like it's falling apart and so many ways. it is that connection that we have with each other. and that we encourage each other and we stand with each other. we can't underestimate how

that's going to help get us through so anyway i want to say -- thank you for that. and you -- you kicked ass in that hearing. you were amazing. [laughter] and jason is retired. right? so -- i think both of our experiences dare i say smack sexism do you think -- and way they talked down to you talked over you, i was watching in real time. and then, of course, my own 11 hours of experience in front of some of the same people -- that went after you. but you know you use the word connection that's a really important word so is the word mp thy. you know we've lost -- either willingness or ant to empathize with others an their struggles and -- you know, with respect to planned parenthood i've met many women across the country who have told me their stories who

have told me their incredibly important stories that so many of them told me about -- being diagnosed with cancer it was the only place they could go. they had no insurance. they made a little too much money for or -- medicaid they weren't old enough for medicare so planned parenthood was the place and that's where they found autothat they needed treatment and were - encouraged and supported as they were heard story after story after story. why is it that we've lost this -- ability to kind of see each other through the other's eye and, you know, your mother was a master a the that. you're a master at that you're a i believe to connect with with people, and hear their story and then -- you go immediately like what do we do about it and how we going to help you or solve the problem. how do we get back to that? that is such an american way of being yet we seem to be --

getting distracted and diverted away from actually working with each other. no i think that's, in fact, in that hearing that was what was the big lightning bolt for me when i sat down because my first statement was about -- a woman dana ferris in dallas -- who would gotten -- harvard graduate you know -- husband lost her job she wasn't working. and there was no place for her to go but planned parenthood and they literally not only detected her breast cancer. but insisted that she go and, you know, get immediate attention. work, you know, all the way through her treatment and i tell this story which -- is, i mean, it's the story that millions of women experience. and i could have, i could have been reading dr. seuss they could care less about what was happening to this women and a i think -- that is why i do think if i try

to look at as an organize or you're always looking at the opportunity i think that is why women are organizing like crazy. i think they are concerned they're desperately concerned about health care. they're concerned about their kids. they're concerned about their kids going to school. and it being a safe place. they're concerned about taking care of their parents. and -- i really do believe that women are figuring out that voting is the most important thing they could do to determine the future of this country. [applause] so -- it's -- and they know the difference. they know the difference of candidates and elected officials who are just talking or the ones who are actually actually listening, and i, you know, so i think it is important right now we remember things that have happened since this election. african-american women lengted a democratic senator in alabama. that was -- unbelievable, and you know we saw in virginia an i know that

was a race that you were really involved in. ralph elected with a 22 point gap with women, the first transgender woman ever elected to the virginia assembly the first latina elected to the virginia assembly so i just there's a theme here. [laughter] i really do believe that women are they are concerned. they are everyone thetic but important look the marches were great. nitting the pussy hat that was fun. you know calling congress -- but voting that's what we've got to get done this november 237 >. >> you worked for the most effective nancy pelosi and she knows how to count votes. and she knows how to -- get things done she's responsible more than anybody for the passage of the affordable care act. >> i absolutely agree. she has -- >> she has, she has an

extraordinary sense of duty and responsibility. and how long did you work for her? >> it was like a hot second. i got and realized i have no idea what i'm doing, and i am better out in the field so i worked there almost two years but it was like taking a graduate course in the hill. it was just the most amazing experience. and i tell that to sometimes young women say like it is okay to find out it is not the right one for you because you're going to learn things and i actually i tell a story in this book about nancy and i won't give details here. but i think she's the most -- underappreciated leader and in congress why is it they're saying women should retire other than like okay i think we need more women in congress not less. but any case there during affore care act where weren't votes and we have a tough position after a long meeting with our board -- that if there was an abortion ban in the bill we would not support it and we worked as hard as anybody to get that --

to -- to bring this bill to the floor. and i had to go visit with nancy because i had to tell e her look, i know you worked heart on this bill but if we're not able to support it, and i sat down -- in her office and she said -- cecile glad you're here. we don't have votes yet for affordable care act i'm working it and i said we're on it too but i want you to know -- they're trying to put abortion ban in this bill she said and if there's an abortion ban and affordable care act, there won't be an affordable care act because i qoangt pass it. that was nancy pelosi -- that was, in fact, and never forget it friday night getting call from rosa because she was in there fighting from the great state of connecticut. and she calls she said you're not going to believe it the women we held our ground and beat them and there were men, they were willing to throw abortion rights overboard but nancy and i and other women we stuck, and threw our bodies in

front of this steam roller and we beat them, and that is -- just -- an example of the kind of leader nancy pelosi is. >> well i have to thank you for the incredible campaigning you did for me. all over the country -- >> it was the honor of a lifetime, wasn't it? [applause] yeah. well i -- i'm very -- i'm very proud of the campaign and very proud of literally millions and millions of people who helped to volunteer who were on the staff. just an incredible outpouring of effort. and question crossed paths a few times and a few -- fun and exciting places. and it is so great to see the kind of energy that we saw in

that campaign. and that is, you know, it was a lot of women predominantly, wing. but it was just a great joyous adventure and i am very grateful for everybody who was involved. and i well remembered the dinner that you write about to -- in the book we were in cedar rapids, iowa, and we were staying at a -- hotel run by the kirkwood community college hospitality department. so they had all of these students -- >> like remembers you remember everything. >> no -- well -- 9,000 -- >> i would be there five times so i -- spent a lot of time there and it was so much fun because the students were the waiters, and you know all of that. and you and kirk were with us so a lot of highlights that i think of seeing you coming through a

crowd with, you know, your blond hair -- usually somewhere in the distance making your way forward. and then thank you for speaking at the convention. >> that was -- >> an amazing, an amazing experience. i'm so proud of the convention and what we stood for, and you know all of the positive stories it that we told in -- but you talked, you know, you thought about your mother because you thought about about what you should wear. don't we think about those things all of the time really -- >> i mean really that was my mother. yes. exactly. it was great. well but we didn't make it unfortunately and it was tragic and -- profoundly sad and tebl for the country, and so -- >> but you got the -- [laughter] [cheering] oh -- but you know, then afterwards, you were in one of the most

unique situations because it wasn't clear how much the campaign of the -- what shall i say the president now -- 45. how much he meant and how much he didn't. a lot of post election interviews with people were well i didn't think he really meant it or i wanted change or i wanted to shake things up all of that kind of conversation. ...

>> to be honest i did not want to go. i had already seen what they had done to vice president gore to meet about climate change but there was no trust. but i thought if she wants to meet that is the only person i can imagine we will talk to with this administration to have an iota understanding about planned parenthood.

so i made kurt come. [laughter] [applause] so we went out to some golf course that was owned by the president in new jersey. and this is what it does and this is what it means. if you defined planned parenthood. it is important it is not in the federal budget but we were not just like any other hospital or healthcare provider with women on medicaid come to us for services and we are reimbursed. >> and no federal money for abortions. no. it is illegal and that is wrong and low income women have done that for many years. so that is what i explained and said listen.

2.5million patients if they come to us on a public program. this would be devastating in paul ryan's own district we have three centers in his district they all treat women for cancer screenings and birth control and the rest. anyway he really took the lead on the meeting and it seemed like he thought kurt worked for me or something. [laughter] i read a lot about your business you run a great business. no. he's a witness not a participant. but basically and if all this said -- is that i was disappointed you didn't say something nice about my father in the election because he said something good about planned parenthood because i was in disbelief. i said he didn't say we

provided healthcare and people have been helped but then he said he would defend us so what was the thinking part of that? but he thought he could work a deal if we would quit providing abortion services to women in this country that he would trust paul ryan and maybe get us more funding than we currently had. and i said that will not happen because we will never abandon women and women's rights in this country in exchange for money. that is not who we are. [applause] but it was pretty astounding. it was just like a headline planned parenthood was providing abortions. so we took our leave. and basically we went out to beat them so.

around the country rallied and went to town hall meetings. and because of literally hundreds of thousand people in this country who stood up for planned parenthood including a lot of our patients the doors are still open all across the united states of america. [applause] and we are very grateful. >> you have been on the road a lot for 12 years. with planned parenthood. you are on the road for the obama campaign and my campaign and other people running for office. i have a few questions. for some tips for those people on the road for example, what is your favorite food to eat on the road? >> definitely breakfast tacos and it is hard to get them. the neck tell my friends what

a breakfast taco is. [laughter] you just have to go to austin to have a real one. it's hard to find a good tour -- tacos on the road. if you are in texas it is okay there is a dairy queen you can get the discount anywhere. >> you are an i.c.e. cream fan. >> but really pie i do make pies. >> you give a passionate endorsement of butter over larg large. >> if there is anyone who is not figured out that bot -- butter makes a better pie crust see me afterwards. [laughter] >> you only carry one bag and you never check it. >> never check your bag may

can i hear the amen on that? [applause] >> what are your essentials a few changes of clothes. >> you have to have a steamer. portable. i'm wearing this pantsuit navy blue this is actually the passel one -- the pantsuit that i endorsed you with it sounds crazy but it is so meaningful to me. navy blue doesn't wrinkle it doesn't show dirt also at some point i was wearing new 90 --dash navy blue suits so much i was starting to be offered discounts they would say which airline do you work for? then really it was bad one night walking down the isle in the airplane and some guy stopped me and asked me for othello.

[laughter] so you have to mix it up a little bit. >> i told her i was determined to wear pink because this is it. as you think about the struggle ahead because you have left planned parenthood, but your voice will be out there. this book has really given a great deal of insight into what you have done and what you think you and your energy to be active and stand up for people. how do you keep going? how do you find the personal resilience? people always ask me that. it is kind of a hard question to answer because you just keep going but do you have any other reflections on that? >> what is the alternative?

we know what will happen if we don't. that is unacceptable so in some ways it is a big motivator. but the time we have to take care of each other more because this is hard. there are aggressions not just us but people we love. immigrant people, lgbt people. it is important to recognize it isn't about those that are counting on us to do more. and that is very comforting in some ways that there is an opportunity but over the last year and a half every day we were in a fight with the administration to say just think about it this way every day the door stay open do the math.

they thousand 165 people. if not open they would not be getting healthcare. that was a big motivator so we pick those small battles and recognize that it will add up something more but for those that are here we are not just a healthcare provider but we are a movement in this country so we grew from 3 million supporters now 12 million supporters not that it's a competition but that is more than twice the size of the nra. [applause] >> if we know 12 million of those people concerned what is going on in this country to

exercise our right to vote we will change the direction of america. that is when i'm focused on. >> it is important to keep going because we have real world examples if we don't keep going and the most painful is the seniors of the state of texas because it has done more defined and parenthood anywhere in the country right now but what have we seen? a significant increase of abortions. a significant increase of maternal mortality. women are dying is in pregnancy and giving birth in texas at the rate of a third world country.

so when we talk about this. we are very passionate about these issues and that she has been so devoted to, but it's not as though we don't know the alternative. world west texas or the valley in south texas may seem very far away but that is where you can see the results of these kinds of policies implemented. >> exactly right. it is so hurtful to have to use texas as a cautionary tale but it is an example of what happens putting politics ahead of people's life. it is also a place where people are resilient. i am so proud of my colleagues down in planned parenthood. not only have they continue to stay open that you can see

from the freeway in waco texas we started to provide transgender services when we open online appointments and that week we were booked out for three months. that is the work that is happening. we know what works. without stigma or shame or judgment that they feel like we have to stay the scores one --dash stay the course. because all the health indicators are worse in the last places i got to be was charleston south carolina we

just opened a brand-new health center over transgender care in south carolina. to me that is what we have to d do. that encourages other people but i will just say seeing what people are doing even when they say you can't see the biggest women's marches ever it is what inspires other people to take action and women teachers across the country on behalf of themselves and their pupils is a way that is revolutionary and they are taking courage. give it up for the teachers. [applause]

>> it's a tough time. i don't want to paint a beautiful picture but people are doing things they never thought possible and that will keep us going. >> what a great note to end on. that is exactly right. and cecile richards dory in her book i have so many pages turned down i don't know why i even bothered. it is an inspirational story but also motivational because there is something everybody can do. i think after we stand up and speak out and try to prevent the negative viewpoint to translate into legislation

think it is fair to say there would be no more important election because if this gets the turnout that we usually don't get in the midterms, if we are able to pick out both one or both houses of congress and replace members of congress who lack empathy and are going along because they are worried about their future we will begin to take back the country and see the changes that we should. one of the people helped to make that happen is our guest tonight and the author of a really good book that i hope you will get a chance to read. thank you to cecile richards for making trouble.

[applause] [applause] that we will introduce y