Women of #MeToo Gather for Much-Needed Moment of Healing

For the past year, actress Rosanna Arquette has been a leading voice in the #MeToo movement, headlining events, giving interviews and lending her star power to the fight against sexual misconduct in the workplace.

But even though she’s no stranger to accolades, being applauded for her activism by a roaring 1,500 women at the “Power Women Summit” in downtown Los Angeles Friday left her so overwhelmed, she completely blanked out.

“I had a little shutdown,” she told TheWrap almost apologetically. “I kind of went out of my body for minute. I felt really emotional being with the girls.”

Also Read: Hollywood Women Make History at First Power Women Summit: Takeaways and Next Moves

Arquette, who was among the first women to accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct last year, was one of more than two dozen #MeToo advocates honored at the event, aimed at achieving gender equity in entertainment and media. For many, it was their first time receiving a thunderous ovation for their activism.

“You could feel this energy, like going to your first day of school or something,” Arquette said. “I was so nervous. Are the girls going to be mean? Is everything going to be OK?”

Coming forward has taken a toll on many #MeToo accusers. For some, the last year has been marked with a barrage of attacks from internet trolls. Others have lost their jobs. Almost all have experienced what experts call “secondary traumatization.”

Also Read: Women Producers and Filmmakers on Telling Their Own Stories - and Making Room for Other Women to Do the Same

Being recognized for their role in the grassroots movement along with fellow activists served as a moment of catharsis for many.

The event, which was organized by TheWrap, featured some of the most recognizable names within the fledgeling movement, including actresses Mira Sorvino and Jessica Barth, both Weinstein accusers, and Illeana Douglas, who accused Les Moonves of sexual misconduct in July. Other speakers included women’s rights icons Anita Hill, who became a national figure in 1991 when she accused U.S. Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment, and Tarana Burke, the founder of the #MeToo movement.

Like many women activists and accusers in attendance, Arquette said she had communicated with several of them over email and Twitter, but this was the first time she had met most of them in person.

“It makes me cry,” she said choking back tears. “I feel very emotional about it.”

As Arquette spoke, a steady stream of women politely interrupted our chat to thank her for her “courage” and to ask for a selfie. Arquette, best-known for her iconic roles in “Pulp Fiction” and “Desperately Seeking Susan,” graciously obliged.

“It’s just been a really inspirational day and it makes me feel happy to be a woman right now more than ever,” she said.

Also Read: Hollywood Agents, Producers on Industry Misogyny: 'We Have to Be the First People' to Make Change

The day was emotional for Barth, too.

Barth, known for playing Tami-Lynn McCaferty in the “Ted” films, said meeting the women and getting such a vocal recognition from the crowd caught her off guard.

“It was just really powerful to be in the same room with everybody who’s kind of been through this in the past year,” she said. “I didn’t expect to get choked up at all.”

For Barth, like Arquette, seeing the sea of faces cheering her on was “monumental.”

“To hear this movement being talked about is a shift of how we’re looking at sexual abuse in our culture,” she said. “It’s just really freeing to come together as a community of survivors.”

Also Read: Hollywood Women Share How to Boost Representation: 'Diversity Is Not Charity'

As part of the event’s programming, the women were invited to a special closed training session on how to cope with trauma, conducted by trauma specialist and Weinstein accuser Louise Godbold.

Godbold said the training session was attended by roughly 100 women, including Burke and Sorvino.

“It was quite an extraordinary experience,” Godbold told TheWrap. “I do these training all the time and I’ve never felt such unity and support.”

“I presented the information the way that I usually do because I’m very familiar with it and yet the underlying thing was a sense of, we’re all in this together,” Godbold said, adding that she had a difficult time holding back tears throughout the day.

Chantal Cousineau, who last year was one of nearly 400 women to accuse director James Toback of sexual misconduct, said being in a room full of supportive women was “moving” but that the real reward was the chance to show others her ability “to stand up” for herself.

“It’s amazing to finally be heard and seen from a survivor’s perspective,” she said.

Also Read: Vice News Correspondent Antonia Hylton Says Sexism Is Rampant in 'Messed Up' News Industry

Arquette said the event served as “a safe space for everybody to swap stories and ideas and to connect with filmmakers and artists and politicians.”

“It’s just really a great vibe,” she said. “Women should rule the world.”

The Scene at Power Women Summit 2018: Anita Hill, Alyssa Milano, HAIM and More at TheWrap's Leadership Event (Photos)

TheWrap's 2018 Power Women Summit, which is dedicated to The Road to 50/50 gender parity in the workplace by 2020, was held Nov. 1-2 at the Intercontinental Downtown Los Angeles hotel. Powerful female leaders from entertainment, media, politics and more converged at the event.
Alyssa Milano sits down with Barbara Boxer and Nicole Boxer for the live "The Boxer Podcast."
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Anita Hill gives the keynote remarks, "Changing the System," during Day 2 of the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Actress Felicity Jones speaks with USC's Dr. Stacy Smith about her film "On the Basis of Sex."
Photo by Randy Shropshire
The HAIM sisters discuss gender pay inequality.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Barbara Boxer and Nicole Boxer arrive at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Lisa Connor
Actress and activist Zoe Saldana during the Activism and Empowering the Next Generation panel during Day 2 of the 2018 Power Women Summit.
Photo by Randy Shopshire
Anita Hill delivers her keynote speech.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Model and activist Emily Ratajkowski at the second day of the 2018 Power Women Summit.
Photo by Lisa Connor
Tarana Burke, #MeToo movement founder, and Mira Sorvino during the #MeToo and Tribute to Survivors panel at the second day of TheWrap’s 2018 Power Women Summit.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Sharon Waxman introduces the first day of events at the Power Women Summit 2018.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
The Kaplan Twins pose with their displayed artwork at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Artwork by Connecticut artist Nina Harris in the lobby during the networking cocktail party on the opening night of the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Artwork leading into registration at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Jen Lowery
Registration for the Power Women Summit 2018 at the Intercontinental Downtown Los Angeles.
Photo by Jen Lowery
Registration for the Power Women Summit 2018 at the Intercontinental Downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 1, 2018.
Photo by Lisa Connor
Artwork in the lobby during the networking cocktail party on the opening night of the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Lisa Connor
Artwork in the lobby during the networking cocktail party on the opening night of the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Lisa Connor
Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety set up a booth at the Power Women Summit 2018.
Photo by Ted Soqui
Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety set up a booth at the Power Women Summit 2018.
Photo by Lisa Connor
Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety set up a booth at the Power Women Summit 2018.
Photo by Lisa Connor
Artwork in the lobby during the networking cocktail party on the opening night of the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Lisa Connor
Neon light artwork by Roxy Rose at the Power Women Summit at the Intercontinental Downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 1, 2018.
Photo by Lisa Connor
The Kaplan Twins pose in front of their featured artwork.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Artwork from Jana Cruder at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Artwork from local Los Angeles artist Olga Lah in the lobby during the networking cocktail party on the opening night of the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Attendees with their Power Women swag bags.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Artist Meghan Quinn poses with her artwork at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Attendees at the Power Women Summit 2018.
Photo by Ted Soqui
Attendees pose for a photo in the lobby at the Power Women Summit 2018.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
TheWrap founder and CEO Sharon Waxman introduces the evening program of Day 1 of the Power Women Summit inside the 50/50 Ballroom.
Photo by Jen Lowery
Hollis Wong-Wear recites a poem at the Intercontinental Downtown Los Angeles on Friday, Nov. 1, 2018.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Hollis Wong-Wear shares her poem at the 2018 Power Women Summit.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Hollis Wong-Wear in the 50/50 Ballroom at Intercontinental Downtown Los Angeles on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Former Senator Barbara Boxer during a live recording of "The Boxer Podcast" at the Power Women Summit on Nov. 1, 2018.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Nicole Boxer during a live recording of "The Boxer Podcast."
Photo by Ella DeGea
Nicole Boxer (left) and former senator Barbara Boxer speak at the Power Women Summit 2018 during a live taping of their Boxer Podcast.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Former senator Barbara Boxer speaks at the Power Women Summit 2018 during a live taping of her Boxer Podcast.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Alyssa Milano during a live recording of "The Boxer Podcast" at the Intercontinental Downtown Los Angeles.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Alyssa Milano sits down with Barbara Boxer and Nicole Boxer for the live The Boxer Podcast.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Rock band HAIM performs at the Power Women Summit 2018.
Photo by Jen Lowery
Lead guitarist Danielle Haim of HAIM performs at the Power Women Summit 2018.
Photo by Jen Lowery
Este Haim of HAIM performs at the Power Women Summit 2018.
Photo by Jen Lowery
Alana Haim of HAIM performs at the Power Women Summit 2018.
Photo by Jen Lowery
Sister band HAIM played hits like "The Wire" and a cover of Tom Petty's "Won't Back Down" at the Power Women Summit 2018.
Photo by Ella DeGea
HAIM performs at the Power Women Summit 2018.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Seating area outside the 50/50 Ballroom and Marketplace at the 2018 Power Women Summit.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Outlines of various panelists and speakers at the 2018 Power Women Summit drawn by artist Jen Wilde.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Attendees pose at the Power Women Summit on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018.
Photo by Ella DeGea
March for Our Lives co-founder Jaclyn Corin coloring in the outlines of the Summit's featured women.
Photo by Ted Soqui
Pamela Green introduces a screening of "Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blache."
Photo by Ted Soqui
Pamela Green introduces a screening of "Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blache."
Photo by Ted Soqui
Attendees at the Power Women Summit 2018.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Attendees during the first day of events at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Comedians during the Power Women Showcase, as curated by Kourtney Gleason.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Attendees during the evening Comedy Showcase, as curated by Kourtney Gleason.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Attendees had the opportunity to sit in the director's chair while learning about "Inequality in 1,100 Popular Films," a study by Dr. Stacy Smith at USC Annenberg.
Photo by Lisa Connor
Artist D.J. Kami posing in front of her artwork at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Lisa Connor
Felicity Jones poses in front of photography by Georgina Cates featured in the marketplace at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Jen Lowery
Attendees start Day 2 of the 2018 Power Women Summit with flow yoga at the Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Kristin Calabria instructs attendees in flow yoga at the 2018 Power Women Summit.
Photo by Ella DeGea
#MeToo movement founder Tarana Burke arrives at the 2018 Power Women Summit on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018.
Photo by Ted Soqui
Anita Hill at the 2018 Power Women Summit on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018.
Photo by Jen Lowery
TheWrap CEO and founder Sharon Waxman shares opening remarks for the Day 2 of the 2018 Power Women Summit.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Attendees listen to the #MeToo panelists.
Photo by Ted Soqui
Anita Hill during her keynote speech at the 2018 Power Women Summit on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018.
Photo by Ella DeDea
Attendees applaud Anita Hill during her keynote speech.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
"Transparent" creator Jill Soloway and "Steven Universe" creator Rebecca Sugar during the Leading by Example panel on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018.
Photo by Ted Soqui
"Transparent" creator Jill Soloway at the 2018 Power Women Summit.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Rebecca Sugar, "Steven Universe" creator and showrunner, at the 2018 Power Women Summit.
Photo by Ella DeGea
"This Is Us" actress Melanie Liburd at the Coming Soon: Great Roles for Women panel .
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Zoe Saldana in the 50/50 Ballroom with Dolores Huerta and Katie Hill.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Hilary Rosen moderates the Activism and Empowering the Next Generation panel.
Photo by Jen Lowery
The panelists of the Activism and Empowering the Next Generation panel at the Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018
Photo by Ella DeGea
Julie Cohen and Betsy West give a documentary spotlight on "RBG" at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Felicity Jones talks about her film about Ruth Bader Ginsburg "On the Basis of Sex."
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Felicity Jones talks with USC's Dr. Stacy Smith.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Dr. Stacy Smith talks with Felicity Jones at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
A booth display at the Power Women Summit's Open Marketplace.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Attendees gather at the Power Women Summit's Open Marketplace.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Attendees gather at the Power Women Summit's Open Marketplace.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Artwork by Raghubir Kintisch (left) and Lola Del Fresno (right) at the Power Women Summit's Open Marketplace.
Photo by Ella DeGea
A booth display at the Power Women Summit's Open Marketplace.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Tina Tchen talks with Broadly's Ariel Wengroff about the Time's Up Defense Fund in a breakout session at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Tina Tchen talks about the Time's Up Defense Fund in a breakout session at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Tina Tchen talks about the Time's Up Defense Fund in a breakout session at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Ariel Wengroff talks about the Time's Up Defense Fund in a breakout session at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Diversity and Inclusion breakout session at the Power Women Summit, featuring Nicole Brown, Niija Kuykendall, Tanya Lopez, Trace Lysette and Sue Obeidi.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
The crowd at the Diversity and Inclusion breakout session at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Stephanie Allain moderates the Diversity and Inclusion breakout session at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
From left to right, Ivy Kagan Bierman, Nina Shaw and Beatriz Acevedo at the breakout session "Equal Pay - How to Get What You're Worth."
Photo by Jen Lowery
From left to right, Ivy Kagan Bierman, Nina Shaw and Beatriz Acevedo at the breakout session "Equal Pay - How to Get What You're Worth."
Photo by Jen Lowery
"Orange Is the New Black" actress Alysia Reiner speaks during the "Telling Our Stories" breakout session at the Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown's Westwood room.
Photo by Lisa Connor
Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi during the Telling Our Stories panel at the 2018 Power Women Summit on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Left to right: Jenniffer Gómez, Beatriz Acevedo and Jen Hollingsworth before the "Hollywood and America" breakout panel.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Actress, model and activist Emily Ratajkowski speaks at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Lisa Connor
Emily Ratajkowski speaks with Crystal Patterson during the breakout session "How Woke Women Are Leveraging Social Media for Good," presented by Facebook.
Photo by Lisa Connor
Breakout session "ReFrame: Male Allies Leaning In On Gender Equity," with panelists Chris Andrews, Harley Copen, Cassian Elwes and Kevin Iwashina, moderated by Cathy Schulman.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
The panelists during the "Women On the Front Lines: Leading VICE News" breakout discussion. From left to right: Antonia Hylton, Isobel Yeung, Elle Reeve and Cindi Leive.
Photo by Jen Lowery
TheWrap's Debbie Emery (left) moderates a breakout discussion with ESPN stars Cari Champion (center) and Julie Foudy (right) on "Women in Sports."
Photo by Lisa Connor
Lisa Stone introduces the breakout session "How to Be a Boss: A Financial Workshop."
Photo by Jen Lowery
Debbie Wissel gives the presentation "How to Be a Boss: A Financial Workshop" presented by Ellevest.
Photo by Jen Lowery
Stephanie Shepherd and Claudia Carasso talk during the breakout session "Betting on Yourself."
Photo by Ted Soqui
Sharon Waxman moderates a breakout session with Masih Alinejad, "#MeToo, Hijab and Women's Rights."
Photo by Ella DeGea
Masih Alinejad before the conversation "#MeToo, Hijab and Women's Rights."
Photo by Ella DeGea
Lunchtime at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Actor David Oyelowo speaks with guests at the Power Women Summit during lunch.
Photo by Lisa Connor
Author Joanne Lipman moderates the discussion "Working Together: Bringing Men into the Conversation" with Scott Budnick (left) and David Oyelowo (center).
Photo by Ella DeGea
Producer Scott Budnick speaks on "Bringing Men Into the Conversation" during a lunchtime session.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Actor David Oyelowo speaks during the lunchtime conversation "Working Together: Bringing Men into the Conversation."
Photo by Ella DeGea
Author Joanne Lipman moderates the discussion "Working Together: Bringing Men into the Conversation."
Photo by Ella DeGea
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti makes a surprise appearance at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Marisa Corvo and Diane Warren perform in the 50/50 Ballroom at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Ted Soqui
Diane Warren performs at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Marisa Corvo performs at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Marisa Corvo and Diane Warren at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Trace Lysette gives a speech at the Power Women Summit, "Coming Soon: Great Roles for Women."
Photo by Ella DeGea
Vice Media's Nancy Dubuc speaks in a Keynote panel, "Women at the Top - The Decision Maker," in conversation with Sharon Waxman.
Photo by Ella DeGea
The Keynote panel at the Power Women Summit, "What It's Like to Be First," moderated by Jo Ling Kent.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Sherry Lansing speaks on the keynote panel, "What It's Like to be First."
Photo by Ella DeGea
Maria Contreras-Sweet speaks on the panel discussion, "What It's Like to Be First."
Photo by Ella DeGea
American sabre fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad speaks on the panel discussion, "What It's Like to Be First."
Photo by Ella DeGea
Christine Simmons of the WNBA LA Sparks speaks on the panel discussion, "What It's Like to Be First."
Photo by Ella DeGea
Bria Smith and Jaclyn Corin of March for Our Lives accept the Voice of the Future Award.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Bria Smith and Jaclyn Corin of March for Our Lives accept the Voice of the Future Award.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
The scene at the SAG-AFTRA Guild Roundtable discussing "Picture Gender Equality: How Fair Pay and More Roles for Women in Hollywood Can Shift Culture."
Photo by Randy Shropshire
The scene at the SAG-AFTRA Guild Roundtable discussing "Picture Gender Equality: How Fair Pay and More Roles for Women in Hollywood Can Shift Culture."
Photo by Randy Shropshire
The scene at the SAG-AFTRA Guild Roundtable discussing "Picture Gender Equality: How Fair Pay and More Roles for Women in Hollywood Can Shift Culture."
Photo by Randy Shropshire
The scene at the mentorship session at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Ted Soqui
The scene at the mentorship session at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Ted Soqui
The scene at the mentorship session at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Ted Soqui
Attendees at the closing of the Power Women Summit and Kickback Party.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Political Activists, Paulina Luco and Patricia Leiva, at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Ella DeGea
Artist Anne Bray interacting with attendees at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Ted Soqui
Attendees at the closing of the Power Women Summit and Kickback Party.
Photo by Randy Shropshire
Artwork by Lila Hawk at the Power Women Summit.
Photo by Ted Soqui
The scene at the closing of the Power Women Summit and Kickback Party.
Photo by Ted Soqui
Attendees at the closing of the Power Women Summit and Kickback Party.
Photo by Ted Soqui
Attendees at the closing of the Power Women Summit and Kickback Party.
Photo by Randy Shropshire

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Power Women Summit: The Road to 50/50 by 2020 is held Nov. 1-2 at The Intercontinental Downtown Los Angeles

TheWrap's 2018 Power Women Summit, which is dedicated to The Road to 50/50 gender parity in the workplace by 2020, was held Nov. 1-2 at the Intercontinental Downtown Los Angeles hotel. Powerful female leaders from entertainment, media, politics and more converged at the event.

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The Scene at Power Women Summit 2018: Anita Hill, Alyssa Milano, HAIM and More at TheWrap's Leadership Event (Photos)

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