Posted January 8, 2018 | by KimS | in DemDaily, Elections, Resource

DemDaily: Oprah in 2020?

January 8, 2018

Last night's Golden Globe Awards were flush with speeches about a new era of non-discrimination in Hollywood and the country, but the best performance of the night went to entertainment mogul Oprah Winfrey.

Oprah "A new day is on the horizon" (pic aol)

Winfrey, who joined other attendees in wearing solidarity black in support of those who have been victims of sexual harassment, took the stage to accept the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award-winning actress, producer, business executive and philanthropist spoke powerfully about history, unity and the courage to speak truth to power, bringing an enthusiastic audience to their feet, and launching what may be the unofficial beginning of a presidential bid.

Winfrey, whose networth is estimated by Forbes at $2.8 billion, oversees a financial empire that includes her own network, magazine, production company, and several philanthropic organizations.

The former talk-show host and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient is considered one of the country's, if not the world's, most inspirational and influential figures -- whose popularity spreads across cultural, socio-economic and political lines. Should she decide to run, many feel she would be uniquely positioned to go toe-to-toe with the equally unconventional President Trump.

"I want all the girls watching here and now to know that a new day is on the horizon, and when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of alot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders that take us to the time when nobody ever has to say 'me too' again." - Oprah Winfrey

The evening also proved a promotional vehicle for Time's Up Now, a new organization initiated by four female agents at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), with the support of now over 300 actors, directors, film and music executives.

Reese Witherspoon on accepting for Big Little Lies, "Time's Up! We see you, we hear you and we will tell your stories."

The Time's Up Legal Defense Fund, which provides subsidized legal support to those who have experienced sexual harassment, assault, or abuse in the workplace, announced it reached its fundraising goal of $15 million yesterday.

In support of the effort, many of Hollywood's leading actresses walked the red carpet with activists in the women's rights community. Among the actresses and guests:

* Laura Dern and guest Monica Ramirez, the founder of Alianza Nacional de Campesinas,
* Amy Poehler and guest Saru Jayaraman, attorney and co-founder of Restaurant Opportunities Centers United,
* Susan Sarandon and guest Rosa Clemente, the first Afro-Latina to run for Vice President in the US (Green Party 2008),
* Emma Stone and guest Billie Jean King, famed tennis star and founder of the Women's Tennis Association, whom Stone portrays in her Globes-nominated role in Battle of the Sexes,
* Michelle Williams and guest Tarana Burke, Director of Girls for Gender Equity and founder of the "Me too" movement, * Emma Watson and guest Marai Larasi with Imkaan,
* Shailene Woodley and guest Calina Lawrence, activist with the Water is Life/Standing Rock movement, and * Meryl Streep who brought Ai-Jen Poo, Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance.

Of Oprah's speech, Streep said, "She launched a rocket tonight. I want her to run for president. I don't think she had any intention [of declaring]. But now she doesn't have a choice."

Stedman Graham - Future First Man?

Pundits today said sources confirmed that Winfrey is "actively thinking about" about a presidential run in 2020, and her longtime personal partner, Stedman Graham said, "It's up to the people. She would absolutely do it."

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