If there’s anything positive to glean from our recent election, it’s that there might be born a women’s movement that’s more inclusive, more intersectional, more powerful, and louder than ever before. On January 21, 2017—the day after the presidential inauguration—more than 200,o00 people are expected to join the Women’s March on Washington to send a message to the new administration on their first day in office that women’s rights are human rights. In a moment when our country will swear into office a demagogue who has preyed on fear and bigotry to rise to a position of power, I think we can still muster hope. While we must imagine that the new administration will act as promised and put into further peril the lives of the many people the president-elect has already endangered—immigrants, Muslims, communities of color, people with disabilities, survivors of sexual assault, people who identify as LGBTQI, women generally, (this list goes on)—we must also tap into our resolve and use our collective power to inspire change. I love the idea of getting literally mobile to make that happen.
A few weeks ago, I had the chance to meet many of the march organizers and I was inspired by their expertise, tenacity, resolve, and commitment. In the words of the organizers, here’s the mission of the march:
“We stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families— recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country.”
I’m fairly certain that I’ll either be nursing a brand new babe or expecting its imminent arrival, and won’t be able to attend the march myself, but I couldn’t be happier to help spread the word to folks who might be able to march in my place. Toward that end, here are a few ways to get involved if you haven’t already:
+ The march organizers need to raise $2 million for logistics and expenses related to the march. So far they’ve raised 10% of that goal. I’m hopeful that by the end of the day we can help get that number way up. If readers of this blog alone each donated just $5, we could easily tip the scale far past the 1/3 funded mark. Kind of amazing, hunh?
RSVP:
+ If you plan to attend, you can register your plan right here. Registration isn’t required but it will help organizers to predict participation and plan accordingly.
Organize:
+ If you’re unable to make it to Washington, there are many Sister Marches being planned around the country (and world!).
+ If you’re looking for a way to get to D.C. or if you’re organizing transportation there, head here.
+ If you know a passionate activist in the under-18 set, encourage them to apply to be a WMW Youth Ambassador.
+ The Women’s March Instagram feed posts daily introductions to inspiring activists (in addition to march updates).
+ They’re on Twitter, too!
Spread the word:
+ 100% of proceeds from these tees support the march (made and printed in the USA).
+ Grab a pen and paper and let folks know #WhyIMarch.
+ If you’re feeling inspired to make art, share it with #WMWArt
Show up:
+ The Women’s March officially secured its permits last week to convene at Independence Avenue and Third Street SW in front of the US Capitol Building. Flooding the streets of Washington with strength and power and positive energy sounds just right to me. I’d love to know if you’re planning to attend!
This post is part of a new RMTL initiative to expand work with nonprofit organizations whose mission aligns with the work of RMTL. Toward this end, RMTL will work with nonprofits to feature one dedicated pro bono post per quarter.
57 Comments
There’s also the Pussyhat Project (pussyhatproject.com) that is collecting handmade pink hats to distribute at the march, for visual impact. Especially for the crafters out there, it’s a simple way to get involved, whether you can be in DC or not!
Awesome!
Yes! Thanks for this!
This is awesome! Being in a large crowd of people gives me a tremendous amount of anxiety, hence why I tend to avoid parades, demonstrations, even sporting events, but thanks for the donation link!
Thank *you*!
You are amazing. Thank you so much for all your simple and actionable guides. I’ve shared this on Facebook, Twitter, and in my bloggers group.
Thanks so much, Alden!
Thanks, Erin. I just donated $5 and will also be at the March!
Thank you!!
Dear Erin,
I just want to say thank you for your beautiful blog, ideas, and activism. I’ve been following you for a while and appreciate your work greatly. Thanks to your post today, I donated today to the DC Women’s March, and it’s been shared on FB.
Happy holidays to you and your family.
Warmly,
Pooja
(p.s. the website posted is to come this 2017 😉
Thanks so much for sharing, Pooja!
My friends, my boyfriend, our puppy (named Elizabeth Cady Stanton), and I live in DC and plan to march! Thanks for sharing the links!
Hooray!
Thanks so much for posting about this! I’m doing my part to tip the scales!
Thank you, Abbie!
I won”t be able to attend the march but just donated $50 to support those who are. So important for our voices to be heard!
Amazing! Thank you, Anna!
What a fantastic post! I know several who will be participating in the march and am trying to arrange to be in DC as well. You’re right, the unification of women after this election is definitely a positive and I think we need to continue that momentum into the new year and throughout the entire Trump administration. Definitely going to share this post/info with others!
xoxo – Kelly
Erin,
I have been following your blog for a while now and greatly appreciate your thoughtful posts. Over the past few years I have often looked to your blog as a reference when making new purchases or rethinking how to reduce the waste in our home. I have thoroughly enjoyed your more recent posts providing guidance for charitable giving and activism. I used the charity navigator you suggested to inform our charitable giving this season and just made a donation for the Women’s March.
Thank you for reminding us to be thoughtful and intentional about our giving. Keep up the amazing work!
-Rebecca
I won’t be able to go (I live in CA), but am planning on going to one of the marches in the Bay Area!
Have you watched Good Girl’s Revolt on Amazon Prime yet? It was wonderful and really reminds me of this… Also, have you checked out the Brooklyn Women’s Exchange? It sounds like a great little place!
Donated and shared on my facebook ❤️
I dedicated my donation to my 2 month old daughter Everly
I’m in the same boat as you – expecting twins in early February, and I am feeling really frustrated about sitting on the sidelines for this. Thank you for providing some ways for those of us who may not be able to physically march to get involved!
You’re welcome! Be well!
Thank you for using the platform to take a stand, Erin. You are an inspiration!
I won’t be able to travel to DC but thanks to your post looked up the local (San Francisco) march and will attend. Also reached out to friends to join me!
You are! Thank you!
$25 donation, done. T-shirt, ordered. Local march, signed-up.
Thanks for helping to lead the way!
So glad!
Love this post, Erin! We will be marching in California. There are over 20k people expected to march in LA. 🙂
Thanks for the donation link. Done, and done!
Donated, signed up for the local (Austin) march, and bought a sweatshirt!
Hey, Erin, if you’re ever feeling down, come back to this post and remember that because *YOU* put this in front of your audience, we all are making a difference. Happy holidays!
Thanks so much, Jenny!
Donated! Thanks so much for the work you’re doing, Erin! XO
Thank *you*!
Thanks for sharing–I didn’t know about the sister marches! I’ll head to the one in Atlanta!
I’ll be attending D.C. and I’m one of the lead organizers for a sister march in Albuquerque, NM!
Yes! I am going with my mom and sisters. We bought our bus tickets weeks ago! Thanks for this post– I donated and registered. 🙂
Thanks so much for this post, Erin! Donating now, and will be at our Sister March in Iowa. Lots of love from the heartland!
I can’t go as I live in Sweden and am also expecting a new baby, but I donated—I really appreciate you putting the suggestion out there.
Attending the San Francisco event with my fellow Bay Area women! (and whoever else shows up)
I just donated! I’ll be marching in San Francisco on the same day. Thanks Erin!
Erin, I hope you don’t think this offensive because that’s not what I intend, but how has the president-elect already put into “peril” the lives of immigrants, Muslims, communities of color, people with disabilities, etc.? I would love to know specific examples of how you believe he has threatened their lives. I know you’re trying to raise awareness for a cause, but complete hyperbole isn’t helpful in getting people to come together. Everyone needs to take a deep breath and relax – just because we didn’t get the outcome we wanted, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t hope for a successful new administration. Remember “stronger together”? Let’s try to live by these words, not further division. Just food for thought.
Hi Liz, I’m not offended per se, but I am concerned. The various ways that the new administration threatens many groups of people in both direct and indirect ways, to say nothing of democracy, the environment, and international relations has been very well documented; this is not hyperbole. I found this essay to be a particularly helpful read, especially as a consideration for what it means to ask folks to come together under a leader who has demonstrated over and over again that he would not extend the same courtesy to much of the population.
Totally agree Liz! Well put.
In that case, I’d definitely recommend the same essay that I shared with Liz! http://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/now-is-the-time-to-talk-about-what-we-are-actually-talking-about
Read it! Sounds like everything else I’ve read for the last two months from every single mainstream source. No intellectual diversity there, and nothing new. I’d recommend reading something outside your natural comfort zone in order to understand why Trump won in such a landslide electoral victory. It’s not because half the country hates women, gays, blacks, immigrants, etc. etc. as you would have us believe. After all, many of Trump’s voters also voted for Obama–twice!
I’m not sure quite what your end game is here, Kate, and I don’t have the time or energy for a protracted debate, but I can assure you I’ve read a great deal of outside of my comfort zone and that this hasn’t changed my mind about whether the new administration threatens a great number of people, to say nothing of this country’s institutions. And of course, as I’ve mentioned now ad nauseum, I am referring to the president-elect and not the people, however misguided, who voted for him.
Thanks for this post, Erin! I wanted to let you know about a little project that some friends and I started after the election – it’s called The Progress PIE, where PIE stands for Progress Includes Everyone. We’re selling pins where the profits will be donated to various non-profits including Planned Parenthood and the ACLU. We have a big group of women headed to the DC march from Portland, Maine and we’ll be selling them there too. Can’t wait for the march! http://www.theprogresspie.com
Depending how comfortable I feel being in a big crowd (last time I was, I had a terrible panic attack), I may have to try and attend the London march!
Hello Erin –
You have a lovely life and family – it is sad that you are spending time and energy with such angst. Half the country (the vast majority being people with kind hearts just like you) is very happy and hopeful. I’m linking a couple of articles that address the different realities we are living in. Perhaps if you read some pro-Trump articles, the future might look brighter.
Sending you all the best and Merry Christmas!
By the lesbian ex-President of LA NOW: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/dec/21/the-democrats-flawed-hope-agenda/
By cartoonist Scott Adams of Dilbert fame: http://blog.dilbert.com/post/154289405111/the-time-that-reality-forked-right-in-front-of-you
I’m afraid these articles are very cold comfort, and yet I’m ever hopeful that I might remain steadfast in my commitment to a peaceful, progressive, and inclusive future. Sending you the best as well.
I’ve never been to DC, but this seems like the right time to finally change that! I’ve been planning a trip since my boyfriend and I realized there was gonna be something to protest on January 20th. Although my car full of friends will still be on the road during the inauguration, we’ll be ready to march the next day! (Fingers crossed for good weather.)
Going to do a whirlwind road trip across many states to march with my sister and momma and planning to knit us pink hats en route! Thank you for shifting your focus to include action points with links. Links make things easier, and so does knowing that you’re not alone. Many thanks, Erin.
Your bravery knows no bounds. Writing publicly, with so much of your own life out there and accessible, against fascism is not easy. I also know that reprisal can be swift in the blogosphere for making things “too political.” Contrary to a few other posts I’ve read here, I know that your stance fully aligns (rather than negates) your ongoing emphasis to seek joy, pleasure, and connectedness. Thank you for being a small but hearty beacon in these seemingly dark times. I really appreciate this kind of content. Keep on keepin on.
Oh and p.s. I’ll be marching in DC!! Will carry your words in my heart right to the streets. Thanks again.
Completely agree! Well said, Kaitlyn. Thank you, Erin!
Thank you for this Erin! I have been watching from across the pond with concern, as it seems to be part of a wave of hatred, racism, misogyny and scapegoating sweeping Europe too (see Brexit). This post last month started me off looking into UK marches and now I’ve just finished making my sign for the Women’s March in London tomorrow – my first ever march! Hope you’re doing well and resting at home, take gentle care of yourself! xxx
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