Lawrence, House Democratic women detail agenda for advancing women

When President Donald Trump on Tuesday gives his second State of the Union address, he will look out at a chamber filled with the most women that have ever served in Congress. On the Democratic side of the House, he'll also see a sea of women wearing white in honor of the suffragettes and the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. A record-setting 102 women won election to the U.S. House last fall and 25 to the Senate. U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence of Southfield is poised to have a leading role in the effort as the new chair of the Democratic Women's Working Group and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Women’s Caucus, which dates to 1977. "It's profound. At this time in our history, after we just went through the #MeToo movement, through the Women's March, and now we have a record number of women in Congress, and we're celebrating the suffrage movement," Lawrence said."This is a pivotal time to be in leadership and be able to push the agenda of the voices of women in America. We so often had to beg for permission to do this. We are not asking for permission anymore. We are so strong."