I woke up on January 21 to see posts about women’s marches from around the world. I couldn’t contain my emotions as I saw women standing together everywhere from Serbia to Mexico, from Norway to New Zealand, from London to South Africa. I still can’t quite find the words to describe how it made me feel, but I know anyone who supports the march and it’s purpose probably understands — because they feel the same way.
Travis and I packed up the car, loaded up the kids, and headed over to our local march location early to ensure we would get parking. We were notified the night before that the group had lost access to the street, and we were supposed to march side-by-side on the sidewalk for the duration of the 1.3 mile march. The last estimate I had seen suggested there would be 10,000 people.
It turns out that 20,000 people came out in Saint Petersburg, FL (and we ended up with street access after all). This morning, I woke up to see that this was the largest protest in American history with 2.9 million people showing up across the country. I am so proud and honored to have participated. I am so happy that all the way home, and for the rest of the evening, my boys were chanting “love, not hate.” I am so thankful that they were able to see people of all skin colors, genders, sexual orientations, physical ability, and religions come together to achieve a common purpose. If you are unfamiliar with the women’s march, you can read more about it here.
It would have been easier to leave the “big camera” at home, or to ask my husband to stay home with the kids so that I could march and take photographs. I took most of these with a (sleeping) baby strapped to my chest. But now, here it is. On the record. Their first protest. Be kind. Choose love. This is what democracy looks like.
P.S. Next steps here.
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