Earlier this week, I was sitting in church listening to a sermon on Isaiah 35 which is about growth and hope in dark times.

"The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus,it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing." - Isaiah 35:1-2

It seems pretty relevant to what some people may be feeling and/or experiencing since the election in November or just in general. What I heard is although the world we're living in right now may feel like we've dug ourselves into a hole, how are we going to instill joy and hope in ourselves, and in others? As an adopted female person of color, I often find myself dwelling in negative and worrisome thoughts about the future for women's rights...but what if we could put those thoughts to use? If the election results have created a growing pit in your stomach, here are some ideas I've thought of to give us hope for the future - in particular the future for women. These suggestions were partially influenced by a Facebook group called "Pantsuit Nation," a group with over 3 million members focused on building one another up and reminding ourselves of the power within us.

Like crocuses, how are we going to plant ourselves to rise in the spring? First, we need to start supporting young girls by educating and empowering them (planting the crocus bulbs). Teach them that they can be anything they want. Currently, gender seems to dictate what kind of job you should hold, but it doesn't have to be like that. If you are a teacher, a parent, or even a bystander in the room and you hear sexist comments being made about girls bodies (sadly but not surprisingly, we're already sexualized from a young age), shut that shit down. Educate the child making those comments why it's never ok to make them. Teach them about equality and respect. Teach them that feminism isn't a bad word. They are the future. They are OUR future.

What about the millennials that people love to blame things on?(like how we're the cause for paper napkin sales going down). We're your future as well. Use the negative comments as fuel to push yourself even further. I'm always wondering how I and others can be involved in the local community. Here's your chance. Be that blooming crocus and run for local and state council positions that will be voted in next spring. If you're worried you don't have enough political experience, remember, neither does Donald Trump. Or you can volunteer some time to be a positive role model to youth in your community - like the boys and girls club (Portland area).

To anyone else, organize a protest or join one in your area. Although it may not seem like the most logical solution, doing something is better than nothing. If moving about isn't your thing, write letters, call your senators and representatives and make your voice heard because it really does matter. Even talking to your friends or acquaintances about your thoughts on the future and women's rights is beneficial. We just need to keep the conversations going.

As a way to prepare myself for the spring, I've joined the Planned Parenthood Generation Action Team (GAT) on the Portland State campus. I want to keep my reproduction rights safe not only for me but for my friends and other young females in my community. Affordable healthcare for women should be accessible for everyone, not just the elite. Check out your local planned parenthood if you're interested in volunteer opportunities.

It's been 96 years since women got the right to vote yet we're still trying to achieve equal pay and keep our reproductive rights. While it seems like we're living in dark times once again, think of how you can be a crocus to your community, your country, or even the world.