Jacquelyn Martin / AP
Bernie Sanders, who many view as the leading voice of the grassroots progressive movement, is giving a speech on the opening night of the Women's Convention — even though he's a man.
The basics: The Women's March co-founders are hosting a three-day convention for more than 3,000 women and activists on Oct. 27 to "build political power" ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, said one of the co-founders, Tamika Mallory. The 13 other speakers released to the public are all women, many who are running for or currently hold public office.
Why Sanders: "I think that right now, no one can deny that Bernie Sanders is probably one of the most powerful U.S. senators ... on progressive issues, women's issues, mobilizing Millennials," Mallory told the Detroit Free Press.
- U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters
- Actress and producer Piper Perabo
- Sally Kohn, CNN political commentator and columnist
- Nomiki Konst, co-founder and executive director of the Accountability Project
- Leah Greenberg, co-founder of the Trump resistance group Indivisible
- Liliana Reyes, a transgender Latina activist
- Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams
- Stosh Cotler, CEO of Bend the Arc Jewish Action
- Nina Turner, president of Our Revolution
- Ai-jen Poo, executive director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance
- Michigan Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Chang
- Detroit City Councilwoman Raquel Castañeda Lopez
- Michigan Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer