As most people know, on January 20th, 2018 several major cities across the United States hosted Women's Marches. The most popular of these was in D.C., where the first Women's March was held last year in response to the presidential election. After the events of the past year and just being all around frustrated, my friends and I decided to go to the Women's March in Philadelphia. It was an amazing experience, and going with a large group from my university made it even more special. However, like anything in life, there were highs and lows.

(Disclaimer: This is my personal view of the March, everyone in attendance had their own unique experience and I do not speak for anyone but myself)

High: Seeing the support from my school

Getting on the train from the stop on campus was insane! There were so many people going, including men and professors. Being surrounded by hall mates and instructors alike made me realize how universal feminism should be. Feminism is a fight for equality, a fight that every compassionate person should feel compelled to be apart of.

Low: Being judged for carrying signs on campus

As we were walking back to our dorms, my friends and I passed some guys who definitely cared about the day's football game more than the fight for equal pay.

High: Seeing the diversity

There were people there from all walks of life. I saw married couples who must have been at least eighty walking alongside Millennials. There were people protesting the government's treatment of Puerto Rico and Muslim men and women raising awareness for religious tolerance.

Low: Being afraid to express a belief

While the overarching tone of the March was acceptance, there was one issue that was very clearly non-negotiable: abortion. This is a very sensitive topic and I really don't want to start an online debate about it, but I am pro-life. I did not express this belief at the March because I have heard stories of pro-life women being harassed at Women's Marches and I didn't want to cause a scene or put myself in any danger. That being said, I wish the fight for liberation and freedom included the freedom to express all of my feminism (because I do believe being pro-life is pro-women).

High: Having people take pictures of my sign

My sign (see below) said "Steminist" and "Engineer like a girl". Various people throughout the March came up and asked to take a picture of it and I was beyond excited.

Low: Not seeing a lot of STEM encouragement

As a female engineering student, I am faced with the reality that less than a quarter of all engineering students in the country are women. Other STEM fields have similar statistics. As a society we are improving in this area, but there is still a stigma around women in these fields. If you don't believe me, senior year of high school I was told that I got into engineering programs because I was a girl and they had to fill a quota. I know there were a lot of issues people wanted to protest, but we need more STEMinists in the world.

Overall, the March was an amazing and encouraging experience. It gave me hope that our world is moving to a time when women don't have to fight for equal pay and little girls know they are just as smart (if not smarter) than their male classmates. If I am ever blessed with a daughter, I want her to live in a world where the only Women's Marches are in history books.