Oprah Winfrey Meets With The Women Of Time’s Up: Here’s What They Discussed

A busy few weeks for Oprah continued as she met with leaders of the Time's Up movement, to discuss their mission statement.

Making It Their Mission

The group met with Winfrey, who's rumored to be running for office in 2020, for an interview on CBS This Morning. The campaign gained notice following last week's Golden Globes awards, where many stars were spotted wearing Time's Up pins with their finery.

Winfrey is a special correspondent for CBS News. For the segment, she interviewed Lucasfilm president and oft-described most powerful woman in Hollywood Kathleen Kennedy, TV producer and the creator of Grey's Anatomy and Scandal Shonda Rhimes, entertainment attorney Nina Shaw; and actresses America Ferrara, Natalie Portman, Reese Witherspoon, and Tracee Ellis Ross.

Time's Up was created in the wake of sexual assault allegations against Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, James Franco, and many more, which have rocked Hollywood to its core. The group is pushing for the strengthening of laws regarding workplace harassment, as well as driving for more gender diversity in Hollywood power positions from the lowest on the totem pole all the way to the top.

The recent revelations in the entertainment industry have led to similar accusations coming to light in the worlds of politics, media, law, academia, and hospitality, among others.

Time's Up has pledged to help women in these industries, too, particularly those unable to find a platform to voice their concerns. To date, the campaign has raised a $16 million legal defense fund for harassment victims.

The Time Is Now

"We have to maintain the momentum of this conversation ... not only in what we're doing with a group like Time's Up, but it's in the content we're creating, the conversations we're having. We have to continue this work because we do have the spotlight," said Kennedy.

Winfrey put it to the group that certain perpetrators may be open to making amends, or to getting help for their issues. When asked if there's a possibility to rehabilitate them back into society, the group were optimistic.

"I think there's a lot of room for reconciliation. I think there's ... a time to approach people and tell the truth and have them listen thoughtfully and meaningfully and apologize sincerely," said Witherspoon.

Ross suggested that, at this very angry moment in time, the most important thing to do is listen. "... everybody's gotta do some listening," she added.

Tags

Oprah Winfrey, Times Up