11 Women (& Men) Across The Country On Why They Marched

The entire experience felt like a high.

In the days and weeks leading up to the march, I kept telling myself I was going to plan a way to get there. I kept telling myself that, ‘yes I’m obviously going to go… ill kick myself for the rest of my life if I don’t’ - but I never got around to actually figuring out the logistics. So the night before, I was with two of my girlfriends up at school in Connecticut and we were actually out at the frats. It was like 11:45 and we looked at each other and thats when we knew we had to go. My friend Jackie got on her phone and booked three one way flights to DC for the next morning. Our guy friends kept mocking us asking what the march was even about and calling it “elitist activism” that we just decided to FLY to D.C.

The following morning, still smelling of beer and frats, the three of us headed to Bradley airport in Hartford with nothing but a phone charger and our wallets. It didn’t matter that we didn’t have a plan but we needed to be there. Before takeoff I shot my mom a text “listen, don’t freak but I’m headed to D.C. You had the 60s, 70s, 80s and now this is my time.”

We landed and made our way through the airport, to the subway and into the city. The energy was electric and the sea of knitted pink hats made my heart warm with pride. We led cheers. We met new friends…. with men and women and children and people from all walks of life. I think that was the most amazing part - yes, it was a women’s march. But just like “black lives matter,” it isn’t just about WOMEN - no one is saying “women matter more than men,” but it’s about recognizing the importance of taking a stand to defend the rights women and men have fought perilously for me to have.

I actually went to a comedy show a few days ago and AZIZ showed up, which rocked my world - but he was talking about how there’s this new wave of people following the election who love to talk politics and whine about how much change is needed but they’re doing it over mimosas at brunch. If we’re being honest, I am that person but that, and Obama’s iconic speech, really changed my life. It made me realize, YES I do want change and so YES I should probably go out and do something about it. So yeah, to all those frat boys, call it whatever you want, but I can’t beat myself up because I’m lucky enough to have been able to go and be a part of such history - at least I got up and stood for something.

[Photo courtesy Grace]