Sheryl Crow on Mixing Politics & Music
BALDWIN: We want to take a moment and honor the American woman. This series is an idea I had after covering the 2016 presidential election, listening to so many women who showed up and wanted to be involved. I had a hunch that something was about to happen as women were speaking up and showing up in record numbers. And standing on stage at the women's march. Just like so many of you, I witnessed the collective strength of those who traveled great distances to be seen and heard and it was overwhelming. And so I just decided the next chapter of my career would really focus on women. I got to talk to Ashley Graham, Diane von Furstenberg, Tracy Reese, Pat Benatar, Betty White. Yes, these are all incredible women who shattered glass ceilings, whether in fashion, music or film. But these are trailblazing women who shared with me some very personal stories of success and failure, who are not afraid to talk politics, frustration and hope. And they want to help other women realize their dreams as well. Here is American woman, Sheryl Crow.</s>SHERYL CROW, SINGER: Hi, I'm Sheryl Crow. I'm an American woman because I was born here, and it's a small town in the Midwest. And I am grateful that I live in this country.</s>BALDWIN: What would you say to just young women who are still trying to find their footing in this new era of America?</s>CROW: I find when there's discomfort that can be a galvanizing moment for people. And I also find hope in the fact that when our people are going through real unrest, like what we did in the '60s, some of the greatest art came out of that. That will be whatnot only documents who we were at this moment in history, but it will create a collective experience and voice for us. I feel like it's a necessary moment for artists to get busy.</s>BALDWIN (voice-over): Sheryl did get busy, with the release of the single, "Halfway There," which reflects how divided the country became during the 2016 presidential election.</s>CROW: It speaks to the ugliness that we were as neighbors to each other in our towns of not actually being able to hold a discourse that revolved around disagreement with moderate of decorum or even dignity.</s>CROW: The differences we bring to our nation are what makes us strong. But to not be able to value that in a way that is respectful, even in our dialogue, is the undermining of civilization. (on camera): What would you offer up to women?</s>CROW: Feminism, I think, at its best, is when you're not becoming more masculine to exist in the world, but actually becoming more feminine. I think that's one of the reasons I would love to have seen a woman in the White House. I want to tell all the young women, the power that exists within you cannot be quietened by a man. Tap into that on a daily basis. Call it up.</s>BALDWIN: Love that so much. Please, check out my entire interview with Sheryl and all these other women. Go to CNN.com/Americanwoman. And just one other ask, because I love hearing from you. We all need a little inspiration, don't we? Go to my Instagram, @BrookebCNN. Upload a video and you tell me. Tell me your name. I'm so-and-so. I'm an American woman because, and tell me what defines you as an American woman. And don't forget the #Americanwoman. I've been reposting so many of you. Thank you so much. Coming up here, former White House Adviser Omarosa making some pretty interesting comments on her time in the White House, including talking about haunted by tweets every single day. We'll show you the clip in just a second.</s>BALDWIN: Hi, there. I'm Brooke Baldwin. Thanks for being with me here on CNN. Again, just a heads up, the White House briefing will begin in minutes. Officials there, will, no doubt, be confronted with tough questions, necessary questions about how accused abuser, Rob Porter, could have kept his job at the White House, often times right by -- there he is, with the paper there -- often times right by the president's side. What's more, the accusations of beating not just one, but two of his ex-wives, kept Porter, the White House staff secretary, from getting security clearance. A fact known since last fall, by senior White House officials, including chief of staff, John Kelly, according to our sources. And yet, in a just-released statement, the chief of staff said he was, in his words, "shocked" by the, quote, "new allegations" against Porter. Now, Porter's star certainly has been on the rise in the administration until he resigned Wednesday. Here is a look of what he has been involved in. He helped draft the president's State of the Union. He went over to Switzerland and attended the World Economic Forum in Davos with President Trump. And Porter was one of a select few who shook the hands of the Chinese president when the president traveled overseas to Beijing. So why did it take until now for Rob Porter to leave, just a day after these pictures of his alleged abuse against his first wife went public. Porter denies all the abuse allegations against him.