On Saturday, January 21, 2017, I attended the picket in front of Hobby Lobby in solidarity with the people at the Women's March on Washington in Washington D.C. I was surrounded by some of the strongest, smartest, most beautiful, and most empowering women (and men) that I have been lucky to come to know, and I do not mean just on the local sidewalk, but around the world. There are many things that I could say about the events that took place, but I find that these are the words I wish to share:
An Open Letter to the Women Who Marched
First of all, to all of you, thank you. Thank you for welcoming me to my first protest. I felt like I was truly living in those moments when motorcycles revved their engines for us and children waved as they drove by. It took me a lot to find the courage to go, it really did. But once I was there, I knew that there was no place I'd rather be than fighting alongside my fellow "nasty" women. I know that every single person had their own reasons for joining the marches, pickets, and protests, and I want you to know that by doing that you have truly changed the way that I feel the next four years are going to play out. I may still have fear and sadness filled up in my chest, but the amount of hope and solidarity that I felt and will continue to feel will always overpower that, just like love trumps hate. Thank you for giving me that feeling.
To the elderly women who held signs saying "I have been doing this for 104 years," "My arms are sore from holding this sign since the 1960's," and "I cannot believe I'm still fighting for this sh*t," you are my heroes. Many people stated that the reasons that they marched were because of their grandmothers and great-grandmothers that did the same before their time, but I was lucky enough to stand beside some of you and share beliefs that age does not put a barrier on. My favorites were the two ladies a few feet away from me with one rock symbol and one peace symbol raised high in the air.
To the middle-aged man that held the sign that read "HEAR THESE WOMEN," you are what feminism looks like. I hope that young men will see you and follow your example. "There are two powers in the world; one is the sword and the other is the pen. There is a great competition and rivalry between the two. There is a third power that is stronger than both, that of the women" - Muhammed Ali Jinnah. I appreciate your unity with us women, you have helped me believe in this quote more than you could imagine.
To the teenage girl who was driving by in the car with her father who reached over and honked the horn to his surprise, I cannot wait to see who you become someday. It is a brave thing to stand for your beliefs, especially when they are opposed by the people you love most. Trust me, I know how that could be. You will probably be able to vote in the next election, so stay informed. Create your own opinions and beliefs. Whether you identify as a specific party or chose to be an independent (like yours truly), you get to choose your battles and fight for each specific issue that you feel strongly toward. Remain open-minded and allow conversation between people that feel the same way as well as people that do not. Being intellectually challenged is so important.
To the children, the future is yours. Every single one of you has the power to become anything you want to be, and at least a handful of you are future POTUS. Do not let anybody convince you that what you are fighting for is not worth another step. Your fight is the nation's (and the world's) progression, and you have a whole world of support behind you. Also, tell your parents that you love them and are grateful that they chose to raise you in a way that drew you no limitations or boundaries, some children are not as lucky.
Again, to all of you, I not only want, but also need to say thank you. Thank you for standing up for what you believe in and allowing me to have the courage to do so as well. I will surely be seeing you all at more protests, events, and in the polls making moves.
And don't forget, the future is female.
