The Women’s March reminds women from all walks of life that they are not alone in their fight for equality, and it reminds others that even though there has been progress over the years, inequality is still a very prevalent issue in today’s society.
Although the main march is in Washington D.C., there are similar marches that take place all over the U.S. The national march had originally faced criticism over its lack of diversity, but that hasn’t stopped thousands of women from attending each year – in Washington and other locations across the country. The 2019 march in St. Louis is at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 19, and begins at Aloe Plaza, in front of Union Station.
Teresa Shook, a woman who lives in Hana, on the Hawaiian island of Maui, was discouraged when President Donald Trump entered office, and felt people would lose sight of the importance of gender equality. She decided to make a call for social change on Facebook. Over four million people across the U.S. answered that call on Jan. 21, 2017, and the Women’s March began. It has since brought attention to the importance of gender equality, equal pay and civil rights, and has continued annually.
According to the Women’s March, its mission is to “harness the political power of diverse women and their communities to create transformative social change.” The organization goes on to say that this includes “black women, Native women, poor women, immigrant women, disabled women, Muslim women, lesbian, queer and trans women.”
A problem that is commonly addressed at the march is sexual harassment. An online survey conducted by Washington D.C.-based nonprofit Stop Street Harassment found that more than 80 percent of women in the U.S. have faced sexual harassment in the workplace. Women that hid their abuse for years finally spoke out in 2017, beginning with the release of information regarding multiple sexual harassment allegations a number of female actresses made against film producer Harvey Weinstein. This sparked a resurgence of the movement known as #MeToo, started by activist Tarana Burke, who gave women, who had been sexually abused, courage and hope when they were otherwise feeling alone and afraid.
Female and male celebrities took part, including Tessa Thompson, Common, Alyssa Milano, Chloë Grace Moretz and Padma Lakshmi. Some of them also gave speeches. Gloria Steinem, Ashley Judd and Scarlett Johansson are just a few of the women who spoke at the 2017 march.
This year’s march is all about connecting women to local nonprofits by hosting an “action fair,” where nonprofit organizations can set up tents and share information.
Here is what people on Twitter have to say:
St. Louis @MomsDemand are looking forward to participating again this year!! Glad to participate in the Action Fair to connect with people & engage in continued action through the year!! Text ‘READY’ to 64433 to get involved w/ @MomsDemand & the gun violence prevention movement! pic.twitter.com/fcm7IDbmuE
— Becky (@Rebecca_221B) January 13, 2019
