Want to make your own difference? Marchers were given the number (202)-225-3121. Americans can call this number to reach their representatives. Or, visit the website house.gov/representatives/ for more information on how to contact your state representatives.
Shelby Rhodes (’18)
“I marched for all the women who marched before me and all the ones coming after. We need to look out for one another.”
Lauren Perry (’18)
Location: Women’s March in Nantes, France
“It was so humbling to be in a foreign country, surrounded by hundreds of men and women whom I didn’t know and who aren’t Americans but were standing with us in solidarity. I felt very safe and cared for!”
Allie Schultz (’18)
“When people talk about ‘women’s issues’, they assume that the only issues women deal with are tampon prices and motherhood. While these things are important, I marched to prove that women live with and defend against so many other important things like climate changes, health care and the economy!”
Julia Newman (’17)
“This is not a picture of me, but of a sign that I thought was super important for this march. I am a senior at Hope College studying to be an elementary teacher. I marched because I want my future students to believe in the inclusion of ALL people, to celebrate diversity, to advocate for equal rights for all, for accessible education for all children.
“I marched to change the conversations from hate to those that express empathy. Empathy can be expressed by learning about other people’s stories, those who have been oppressed, and looking at them and saying I understand you, I am your ally and will march with you. Expressing empathy instead of hate creates a country full of unity and love. As one of the speakers said at the march, ‘we are an uprising of love’ and that is why I chose to march.”
Shelby Ryan (’19)
“I marched for all peaceful Americans and for the support, care and respect that everyone deserves in this great nation. Despite differing political opinions, our most important job is to treat each other with kindness.”
Nathaniel Nelson (’17)
“I marched yesterday because I believe in political, social and economic equality for people of all genders. I marched yesterday because the new administration represents the interests of the billionaire class at the expense of the working and middle classes. I marched yesterday because at Hope College, my friends were personally attacked and derided for their identities in the name of our President. I marched yesterday because we need to put our bodies where our beliefs are. I marched for solidarity, I marched for liberation, I marched for freedom and I marched for unity: for the sight of a million and a half people gathered in unity, proving that with different beliefs, backgrounds and persuasions, we can still stand together and move as one. In the face of divisive, nationalist and hateful rhetoric from the new administration, I marched to remind the world that we are America and our current leader does not represent us.”
Sarah Foster (’17)
“I wanted to go to the Women’s March in DC because I felt devastated after this election. I saw the fear of my friends who come from marginalized communities and wanted to do something more than posting my feelings online. It was amazing to go and stand at a place that was the epicenter of something so much larger than myself, to see how my devastation and the fear I saw in my friends could be used in such an effective way by so many people. Even though there were many people in DC for the march, I saw nothing but a spirit of love and comradery. I learned from those who spoke about how we can affect greater change in the issues we care about when we all can work together.”
Caroline Barrett (’18)
“I attended the Women’s March on Washington for a couple of reasons. One, because we are all human and we all deserve the same rights no matter our gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc. Love trumps hate! I also attended because I am so very confused how I still don’t have the rights over what I want to do with my body and that men in the government control me currently. It is not fair and in the words of Hillary Clinton, ‘women’s rights are human rights and human rights are women’s rights.’”
Katelyn Kiner (’17)
I marched, because I spent my year abroad telling Europeans that Trump would never get elected and I was horrified and embarrassed by the result.
I marched, because I was angry and scared and needed to see that I was not alone in dreaming of an America of greater diversity and acceptance.
I marched because I needed to take a stand–no matter how symbolic–that I would dedicate myself to fighting for greater freedom and equality for all Americans.
I marched, because our President needed to be shown that millions of Americans will stand united against any racist, sexist, homophobic agenda he tries to push through.
I marched, because it is the people that show up who change history and I want to leave a better America for the generations to come.
I marched, because I love America and know what history shows time and time again. She is worth fighting for.”
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