Last January She Was Scared, This January She’s Determined
#WomensMarch Participants One Year Later
One year ago, 3.3 to 4.6 million human beings took to the streets in organized #WomensMarches across the globe. After that momentous day, I interviewed 41 participants representing 15 marches. This past week, I spoke with 12 of those original participants, to see how they were doing one year later.
How Marchers Feel Now
When I asked participants how they’re doing right now, a majority responded positively. “Strangely enough I feel more hopeful now than I did a year ago,” said Melissa Sullivan, who marched in Washington DC and lives in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. “I feel optimistic that the wave of outrage will continue to result in substantive change, whether it be in politics, the entertainment industry, or general standards of behavior.”
A marcher in New York City agreed: “I’m actually feeling better than 2017, and have even more resolve to get more done this year, both in my personal life and as a community member,” said Sirin Thada, who marched in New York City. “2017 for me was a feeling of new terrain, a new climate, and lots of heated emotion — I felt like I was still getting my bearings, trying to figure out my place in all of this, how to find a productive way to make a difference. This year I have direction again.”
Michelle Valladares of Brooklyn, NY, who marched in New York City put it this way: “Last January I was scared. This January I feel determined.”
Marcher Dawn Tarney Brunner of Fowler, MI, who marched in Lansing, MI, felt hope, too, especially given women’s resistance work throughout the year. “The #MeToo and #TimesUp movements are drawing more national attention to women’s issues,” said Brunner. “This will help to engage more women and their family members to get educated about the issues and become more involved in the political process.”
Lea Belair of Jericho, VT, who marched in Montpeiler, VT, had a more troubled response: “I am sadder and more alarmed,” said Belair. “The cowardice of the Republican Party is of a depth and breadth of which I did not anticipate. Their cooperation with Trump, rising to the level of lying along with him — worse than even their silence — is a terrifying version of modern McCarthyism. Worse still is the erosion of the freedoms and protections in the Constitution.”
Another marcher spoke to fatigue and energy management. “I am tired and very aware of the need to be proactive about rest and self-care,” said Holly Masturzo of Neptune Beach, FL, who marched in Jacksonville and St. Augustine. “It has been a year of vigilance and discernment about where to focus energy, thought, and emotion and also where and when it can be OK to take a little distance from the pace and intensity of events.”
Does the Women’s March Experience Still Shine?
A year later, one might expect the shine on a euphoric day to dim. But the majority of respondents reported bright memories. “I loved that [the Women’s March] gave me hope when I had none, joy when I felt despair, friendship when I felt alone,” said Rosie Finizio, who marched in New York City and lives in Pelham, NY. Another New York City marcher, Michelle Valladares, said: “I still remember the amazing thrill of walking among so many New Yorkers and they felt like family. We are all on the same page.”
Tamara Haack in Winchester, VA, who marched in Winchester, also remembered the powerful communal feeling: “I won’t ever forget how that felt — that feeling of solidarity between strangers and friends, children and adults, men and women. In those few hours, I really feel like our voices were heard.”
“I truly felt I was part of something big,” said Ami Novak-Marquess of Charlotte, NC, who marched in DC. “[The march] brought me together with other women and men who feel the same way.”
Two marchers treasured the sense of international solidarity. Holly Masturzo said: “I cherish the memory of feeling connected to women and allies all around the globe. I could feel equally inspired by large crowds in Sydney and Rome as well as small gatherings in Sandy Cove, Nova Scotia (who had 15 marchers) and Antarctica.” Beth Weinstein, who lives in and marched in Phoenix, AZ, said: “The outpouring of support from within my community and all over the world, that is what shines most. When you are down, it’s comforting to know there are others that are feeling much the same way.”
When asked if the march had lost its shine, Dawn Tarney Brunner of Folwer, MI, who marched in Lansing, MI, said: “No loss of shine because the movement gets stronger and stronger over time.” When Nicole Ruth Cooley of Glen Ridge, NJ, who marched in New York City, was asked, she simply said: “No. I am just more furious!”
However, marcher Tamara Haack felt loss: “A year in, on the grand scale, it feels like nothing has changed. Trump is still in office. People still support him. I feel really let down and dejected, like the spirit from a year ago is just a dream I had once.”
On Not Letting Up — No Matter the Approach
All respondents reported political activity after the Women’s March, with many noting an uptick. For Rosie Finizio, the shift was stark. After joining a group of local progressive women, as well as her local Indivisible group, she campaigned for the Democratic candidate for Westchester County Executive, who won. “I have a completely different career because of it,” said Finizio. “I was a preschool administrator, and now I’m the scheduler for the Westchester County.”
Arizona marcher Beth Weinstein didn’t let up either. “I’ve had Senators McCain and Flake on my daily call list. I’ve shown up to their local offices to express concerns. I’ve become involved in helping to organize neighborhood gatherings for my local district race for US Representative for Arizona District 6.”
“I spent a lot of time trying to understand those who voted for Trump,” said Weinstein. “Read many books, talked with several. That part made it harder because the way I see it, racism/sexism and greed really drove the vote.”
Marchers may have been active, but some reported disappointment in results. “I have called my representatives a lot,” wrote Matt Jones, who marched in and lives in Cincinnati, OH. “I’ve also participated in marches and signed more petitions than I can count. Though this is getting more to the heart of why I feel more hopeless now, and in hindsight, seem more naïve a year ago. In January of 2017, I was still operating under the pretense that my Republican representatives cared about what their constituents thought or wanted. Now though, I realize that calling my congressional representative, who is a member of the Tea Party, actually does very little to shape how he votes or acts.”
“In some ways, [my political activity] has not been that different,” said Holly Masturzo. “I have written a few more postcards and donated a few more dollars here or there. I perhaps am more intentional in my interior life, in valuing the smaller things I have often tried to do as “activism” as well and to have more integrity with daily choices, such as being present and respectful with service staff, or slowing down to hear the story of a person I disagree with or didn’t know or choosing where I send my money.”
“Basically,” said Masturzo, “I have been trying to treat the smallest acts of politics — common interacting with others and regular commerce — with the same integrity and clarity of purpose I might bring to larger or more public political acts.”
Critiques of the Women’s March
Many respondents praised the Women’s March, and those who organized on behalf of the Women’s March before and afterwards. Tamara Haack said: “I truly believe they have done an excellent job. It’s a colossal task and I wouldn’t even know where to begin.”
However some had concerns to share about both the 2017 and 2018 marches. Rosie Finizio was concerned by the route in New York City. “We were stuck in gridlock last year, for over an hour. Finally, we climbed over a gate and made an escape.” Finizio also spoke about the 2018 march: “I’m a little turned off by the things I’m hearing. The fight over whether or not to wear the pink hats which were the symbol of the march last year. It’s silly. Why fight over things like that when we have real things to worry about?”
“I wish they would have continued with ongoing meetups and ways to address activism hurdles,” said Ami Novak-Marquess of Charlotte, NC. “[The Women’s March] did lose its buzz when they stopped the alerts for action plans and networking with tothers. I did not attend the conference in Detroit. It was really expensive and I wish they would have made it more inclusive for all who wanted to participate.”
Holly Masturzo suggested that Women’s March organizers, chapter to chapter, could think more holistically in their approach. “I often find myself wanting to suggest that as important as action or activism is, I also want to feel that sense of community and connectedness I felt at the original march,” said Masturzo. “To have that means organizing around shared rituals and creative projects not just political action campaigns, even things like storytelling and active listening to each other — simple things that can cultivate deep connection and a sense of belonging.”
Signs Over the Past Year
I No Longer Accept the Things That I Cannot Change. I am Changing the Things I Can’t Accept. — Angela Davis (Finizio) / Shine ♀n (Masturzo) / I’ve seen better cabinets at IKEA (Cooley’s daughter)/ No hate y mas Pura Vida, Compassion over Criminalization, Never Again is Now (Sullivan)/ Love Trumps Hate (Brunner)/ Science is not a Liberal Conspiracy (Weinstein) / Paul Ryan Can’t Find the Clit (Jones’ wife)/
Last Thoughts
“I will be marching in the Lansing March this weekend because I feel so strongly that we have to unite and stand-up for what is in the best interest of all of our fellow citizens,” said Dawn Tarney Brunner. “We can no longer be silent or passive. We have to take part in the political process to ensure that everyone’s voices are heard.”
“I’m confident that if we continue to work hard, we will make a real difference in 2018, in the midterms and beyond,” said Rosie Finizio.
“I really hope this is just a test of democracy,” wrote Beth Weinstein. “That people will understand what a devastating turn we took, and hopefully we can somehow make it out of this before it is too late.”
