American women, who comprised 53 percent of voters in 2016, will control the outcome of the midterm contests this November. In 1869, a women’s suffrage convention argued that if given voting rights, women, who are “the conservator of private morals,” will in public life become “the conservator of public morals.”

More than a century after securing suffrage in 1920, the midterm elections offer a historic opportunity for women to realize this promise by voting out of office Republican apologists for who is arguably the most immoral and anti-woman president in U.S. history. But Democrats cannot rely on anti-Trumpism alone to secure the votes of women. They must also advance a positive and compelling pro-woman agenda.

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His personal lawyer arranged for a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels to buy her silence about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump, shortly after his wife Melania gave birth to their child. He has failed to show compassion for the victims of domestic violence and has repeatedly defended and even praised men, such as Roger Ailes, Bill O’Reilly, Roy Moore Roy Stewart MooreVulnerable Senate Democrat urges unity: 'Not about what side of the aisle we're on' Sessions hits back at Trump days ahead of Alabama Senate runoff Judge allows Roy Moore lawsuit over Sacha Baron Cohen prank to proceed MORE and Rob Porter, who were credibly accused of sexual battering and abuse.

Not just his personal conduct, but Trump’s decisions and policies have been resolutely anti-woman. He has failed to appoint a White House adviser on violence against women, the head of the Justice Department’s office of violence against women, and the State Department’s ambassador at large for women’s issues.

His Education secretary, Betsy DeVos Elizabeth (Betsy) Dee DeVosSpecial counsel investigating DeVos for potential Hatch Act violation: report NEA president says Azar and DeVos should resign over school reopening guidance The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - You might want to download TikTok now MORE, has weakened protections for victims of campus sexual assault. Trump has rolled back efforts to close the wage gap between men and women and lagged far behind President Barack Obama Barack Hussein ObamaThe Memo: Trump's strengths complicate election picture Obama shares phone number to find out how Americans are planning to vote Democrats' troubling adventure in a 'Wonderland' without 'rule of law' MORE in appointing women to judgeships, the White House staff, and the departments and agencies of government.

His 2019 budget includes cuts to funding for the Violence Against Women Act and the women’s bureau of the Labor Department. It slashes the food stamp, Medicaid and Social Security programs on which so many women depend. It eliminates funding for Planned Parenthood, which provides access to safe and legal abortion and vital women’s health services.

A Washington Post/ABC News poll found last month that 65 percent of women disapprove of the way that Trump is handling his job as president. However, the same poll found that only 38 percent of women believe that Democrats are mainly presenting policy alternatives rather than just criticizing Trump.

The Democratic Party needs to stand with women in the 2018 midterms by advancing a national agenda for women that addresses safety, opportunity and health. On safety, fund and staff programs to prevent violence against women. Provide federal funding assistance for domestic violence shelters. Launch a national education campaign on violence against women and establish national standards for law enforcement. Extend federal background checks to all gun purchases and ban assault weapons.

On opportunity, ratify the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. The United States is among only seven nations that have not ratified it. Restore rules to combat wage discrimination. Implement due process for women who are sexually harassed at workplaces by eliminating mandatory arbitration and providing access to federal courts. Support funding for child care and pre-kindergarten programs. Raise the minimum wage.

On health, help women avoid unwanted pregnancies and keep abortions rare by mandating contraception services as a minimum benefit of every health insurance plan. Maintain access to safe and legal abortion. Fund providers of pregnancy and maternity care. Establish a federal policy on paid parental leave.

Democrats must package and present their ideas effectively to the broad public, like Republicans did with their “Contract With America,” that preceded historic GOP gains in the midterm elections of 1994. The party needs to buy airtime for its woman’s agenda, disseminate it widely on social media and mass circulation publications, and provide training and talking points for candidates.

Today, women hold only about 20 percent of seats in Congress and 25 percent of state legislative seats. Democrats must continue to encourage and recruit women to run for public office and advance their pro-woman agenda through a new generation of women leaders, not the party’s tired old guard. Senators such as Tammy Baldwin Tammy Suzanne BaldwinSenators introduce bipartisan bill to mandate digital apps disclose country of origin Keep teachers in the classroom Cher raised million for Biden campaign at LGBTQ-themed fundraiser MORE of Wisconsin, Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisHarris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle Nearly 40 Democratic senators call for climate change questions in debates Joe Biden has long forgotten North Carolina: Today's visit is too late MORE of California, Amy Klobuchar Amy KlobucharSocial media platforms put muscle into National Voter Registration Day Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight Sunday shows - Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death dominates MORE of Minnesota, and Kirsten Gillibrand Kirsten GillibrandSunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Suburban moms are going to decide the 2020 election Jon Stewart urges Congress to help veterans exposed to burn pits MORE of New York are well positioned to bring forth the policies that would make 2018 the year of the woman.

Allan J. Lichtman, Ph.D., is a distinguished professor of history at American University. He is the author of “The Case for Impeachment.”