We are now just a few days away from the Women’s March on Washington which will take place in our nation’s capitol on January 21st, following inauguration day. For myself and many women I know, the days following election day have been hard. I’ve cycled through waves of tears, frustration and disbelief enough times I should be left with only numbness by now. It certainly would be easier to check the news if I didn’t take every breaking story to heart. Just this morning I woke to the following headline: “Connecticut Politician Arrested for Pinching Woman’s Genitals.” And if we were to rewind through the last week, I’m sure we could identify equally horrifying events of this vein in the news every day. Unfortunately, it seems as though we’ve reached a place where the norm is trapped in a kind of dark and predictable pattern where these headlines are becoming just that - headlines - soon to be forgotten and replaced by another. It’s only human nature to avoid dwelling on those things that upset us — medically speaking it isn’t good for our health. Be that as it may, I’ve convinced myself I cannot just shrug these things off, I cannot be quiet. Because if I do, I contribute to the dangerous notion that what is happening is something that can be ignored and therefore be accepted. This isn’t an easy outlook to have, refusing the passive avenue of complacency is indeed all the more difficult — and I’m fairly certain I’ve never had as much wine as I have in the last two months. That being said, the outpouring of conversation and action behind the Women’s March is indicative that many in our nation refuse to accept the new norm.
I joined the Facebook group for the South Carolina march attendees about a month ago and have been amazed by the group’s growth - seriously never doubt a woman’s ability to organize. Towards the end of last week, I started asking women, mostly within my own social circles, their motivations for marching. After a handful of these conversations, I decided I needed to know more and started asking women from across the country of all ages what their reason for marching was. I asked for those willing to share their story to send me an email with 1-2 sentences stating their reason for marching along with their name, age, and home state half figuring these requests would go unnoticed. An hour after posting in state-specific organizing Facebook groups, I received my first email. And then they kept coming in; my last count totaled 60 responses. What touched me most about the messages were how personal each one was. Every woman’s march motivation came from a different place, had a different purpose. After reading these emails, some chocked with frustration and emotion, some containing deeply personal anecdotes, and many messages of hope, I was pretty moved.
As much as I loved collecting these small stories of sisterhood and inspiration in my inbox throughout the last few days I felt I needed to share these words. Below are some of the stories I collected, a few reasons among the many for refusing to normalize what is happening and for coming together to march on January 21st.
I walk for my mother who, if living, would be walking for me. I walk for our equal rights. I walk because an amazing woman once said ‘Never stop believing that fighting for what is right, is worth the effort.’ It is. Cheryl Pujadas, 70, Nevada
Im marching to stand firm with like-minded women and remind myself that I'm not alone. Together, we are powerful. Cathy Maffett, 45, Florida
I will be attending the Women’s March on Washington in solidarity with my sisters in support of retaining Women’s Rights. I will not sit. I will stand up fiercely to defend those rights which have already been fought for and won. Terri Raich, 60, Michigan
I'm marching because it's 2017 and it's about time women, people with disabilities, immigrants, and the LGBT community have the same rights as a white male. Dalia Estrada, 23, Oklahoma
I am participating in the Women's March on Washington to be a part of something much larger than myself. It truly saddens me, that at this day in age, we are still being forced to defend our natural born rights as women, but I won't stay silent any longer. Rhiannon Bode, 25, South Carolina
I'm marching to protect women and minority healthcare rights. I am fighting against the repeal the ACA without replacing it with something comparable that protects women and minorities and continues to lessen health disparities. In addition, I want to express my continued support of Planned Parenthood and their services which helps millions of Americans every year. T'keyah Vaughan, 23, Virginia
I am marching because I will not be made felt like a second class citizen in my own home country. I am marching because it is my responsibility to defend the rights my ancestors fought so long for. Maria Lee, 34, Nevada
I was 15, pregnant and terrified. I went to Planned Parenthood and they provided healthcare, educational materials and a shoulder to cry on. Many years later, when my daughter had a serious boyfriend, I told her about Planned Parenthood, and they again provided a safe place to get all the tools she needed to make good decisions about her body. Debi Truesdale, 61 Arizona
I am marching for my children and grandchildren's future liberties. It is only through our collective voices that we may be heard. Lynn Minkow, 62, Florida
I'm marching because womens rights are human rights, because what happens to my body should be my choice. I'm marching because my gorgeous best friend is transgendered and I shouldn't have to fear for her life when she walks to the store. I march because should I ever have a daughter I don't want her to have to worry about her rights, or her friends or her future daughters rights. That's why I march. Adrianne Tachera, 24, Nevada
This is 51 years since my first march on Washington, DC. I've waited over 40 years to see women mobilize again for our rights and now its inclusive of all marginalized people which makes me happy because we become indivisible! Together we are strong and can change the world! Lynn Dugan, 66, South Carolina
I am proud to travel to D.C. to march along with my sister and niece because we love our country and are horrified at the President-elect's words, actions, messages, appointees, and promises. We hold these values dear: equality, justice, diversity,public education, a clean environment, peace, respect for humans and the planet on which we live. We need to build bridges not walls in the 21st century. For these reasons and many more, we march. Sarah Robinson, 52, Florida
I march for my Nana who drove a ambulance during WWII 35 miles from London during the Blitz. She lent her back bedroom to a nurse who performed abortions, illegal at the time. Kim Palmer, 60, Nevada
I march, because our leaders should not condone or part-take in sexual assault and the mistreatment of women of any kind. I march also because my fellow LGBTQ folks and LGBTQ children should be treated like human beings, not outcasts, disgraces to society, or barriers to a political agenda. Elizabeth Fiske, 19, Georgia
I'm going because I can't just sit on my ass and pretend like this is okay. It's time for people to recognize that the election of this person proves that feminism isn't the cause of whiny people who are looking for ways to feel objectified and oppressed. I'm going because women deserve better and I feel it's important to show that there are people watching and holding the government accountable. I'm still just in shock that this whole thing is necessary. Leigh Burnette, 24, South Carolina
Participating in the Women's March January 21 is my way of saying - let's march into this year and this administration with an 'abundance of hope and an abundance of peaceful action. Toni Nelson, 73, Nevada
I will march in Washington on January 21 for many reasons, and will do so in honor of my great aunt, Mamie Smith Price, who was the first female attorney to argue a case for the US government. She was among the first glass ceiling shatters. Sandy Block, 67, North Carolina
I’m marching because I refuse to normalize a man who has shown time and time again that he doesn’t respect women. I want to help send the message that we aren’t going to be passive in our resistance. Audrey Heldreth, 24, South Carolina
I march because I remember a time when we did not have many of these rights, the right to privacy in health care, the right to bring our abuser or rapist to trial, the right to decide about pregnancy. I fought and marched for those rights then, I won't give them up now. Keryn Munson, 57, Nevada