Moderator Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry and Women's March Co-Chairs (from left to right) Linda Sarsour, Carmen Perez, and Tamika D. Mallory. Credit: Briana Brough

The three co-chairs of last month's Women's March spoke Thursday at Wake Forest University. Linda Sarsour, Tamika D. Mallory, and Carmen Perez were instrumental in organizing the event that drew millions around the world to participate. The women discussed their backgrounds as organizers, the role of diversity in the movement, and the next steps for those involved in the Women's March in a panel discussion moderated by Wake Forest's Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry.

Here are five highlights from "Reckoning and Resistance."

1. The issues being highlighted are not new ones.

Placeholder — Photo Credit: Briana Brough

Linda Sarsour opened by declaring Donald Trump, "a blessing in disguise." She's been organizing for 16 years and says finally, important issues are coming into the spotlight, like racism, xenophobia, and inequality.

Perez echoed that Trump is a "reflection of America" and that racism and oppression have long existed in the country. The two extended a "welcome" to those involved in the march.

Mallory agreed in welcoming newcomers to the movement, but also asked "where have you been?"

"America has been hostile to its people for a long time," Mallory said. "It did not start on November 8th, and it will not end in four years."

2. The need for diversity at the "center of the table."

The women pointed out that the history of feminism has not necessarily been welcoming and uplifting to women of color, and if there's an agenda for women being created, they need to be present not just at the table, but at the center of the table.

Perez said feminism should be intersectional, not monolithic. An event and subsequent movement of this caliber, she says, could not have gone on and cannot continue to go on without women of color.

3. How to hold the coalition together.

Perez asked, "what's going to make people continue to ...