Lohud's Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy caught up with Krista Suh, creator of the pussy hat worn by thousands of women at the Women's March last year. As the Women's March anniversary nears, Suh talked about what the past year has been like. Video by Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy/lohud Wochit
Last year’s Women’s March on Washington, the largest single-day protest in American history, was an outlet for people's pent-up frustration, fear and anger at the election of President Donald Trump.
He'd disparaged and alienated many women, minorities, immigrants and transgender people during his campaign, so it was little surprise that more than 2.6 million people marched in protests all over the country on Jan. 21, a day after Trump was inaugurated.
This year, I asked people who had marched last year three questions to gauge what the march meant to them and whether it had a future.
Judging from the answers I received, the first anniversary of the event Saturday is about converting the political awakening into a sustained movement.
As Shari Rosen Ascher of Dobbs Ferry put it on Facebook: “The march last year was the event that helped to change my life, my actions, my focus, my activism, my social network and my connection to my local community. but it was only the beginning of many more changes to come!”
IF YOU GO: When and where is the Women's March in 2018?
WOMEN'S MARCH 2017: From Westchester to Washington
Here are the answers from 5 people who responded:
Dr. Ritika Arora, radiologist, Mamaroneck
What action did you take after the march, if any?
Joined Indivisible Westchester, campaigned and volunteered for local Democratic campaign for County Executive and mayor, donated money to many charities and Democratic campaigns across the country, did phone banking and texting for candidates.
What result do you think it produced?
Helped to get Democrats elected as county executive and mayor of Mamaroneck, helped with other elections, brought attention to pressing social issues which are attack by Trump and Republicans in Congress.
If you plan to march this year, what is your goal?
Feel empowerment and solidarity with like-minded women, raise awareness of women's issues and rights which are being attacked, get more people involved in activism.
Barry Graubart, works in data and analytics (and self-described "man enough to be a mom"), Irvington
What action did you take after the march, if any?
I became more actively involved, taking a strong leadership position with Moms Demand Action for Gun Violence in America and getting more involved with Indivisible groups. I also actively volunteered for the George Latimer campaign for County Executive and for Westchester County Board of Legislators candidates.
What result do you think it produced?
I certainly won't claim credit for our new county executive, but believe that the work of hundreds of people like me helped him win and flipped the majority of the (Westchester) Board of Legislators to more progressive officials. In parallel, as co-lead of the Westchester chapter of Moms Demand Action, I helped organize our first NYS lobby day, where we met with 50-plus legislators, and have helped build and strengthen the local organization.
If you plan to march this year, what is your goal?
First and foremost, it's to show that we're not going away. Not soon. Not ever. Too many people tried to dismiss the March as a one-time thing which didn't change anything.
Kristen Browde, lawyer, would have been first transgender elected official in New York state history if she'd been elected supervisor of New Castle last November, Chappaqua
What action did you take after the march, if any?
I became involved with the newly formed Indivisible movement and promptly got drafted to run for office. Ran. I lost, but became even more involved politically than ever before – I’m actively working to get other candidates elected, and expect to become a Democratic Party district leader at the next meeting of the party’s local committee.
What result do you think it produced?
It created incredible energy not just among women but among progressives everywhere. That energy has become a movement which has brought about substantial progress in elections both in Westchester and across the nation. The 2017 election cycle saw big gains for Democrats nationwide. Our county flipped from eight years of right wing neglect to new administration which promises prudent, intelligent and inclusive governance. In special elections Republicans, even in previously safe districts, are being swept out of office, from the Alabama U.S. Senate seat to (this month's) victory in a Wisconsin legislative race.
If you plan to march this year, what is your goal?
I will be marching, and continuing the work of building the movement that is pushing back against the regressive policies of the Trump regime. There are elections less than 10 months from now that will be critical to reclaiming the nation. The women who are marching are a driving force in making that happen.
Francesca Hagadus, retired teacher, Pleasantville
What action did you take after the march, if any?
I continued my activism. I have called senators, Congress and local representatives. I campaigned actively for (Westchester County Executive) George Latimer and Daren Tolz.
What result do you think it produced?
I think that it is obvious now that women are the answer to defeating the chaotic, cruel regime that we have now. We worked hard before, but the March unified us.
If you plan to march this year, what is your goal?
Stay the course. (The) 2018 midterms can stop this madness and we have to march together to keep strong.
Lori Morton, research scientist, Chappaqua
What action did you take after the march, if any?
I continued in my role as board member of political action group Up2Us. We organized candidate events, local and state government learning events, phone banks, and marshaled volunteers to support candidates with calls, canvassing and rallies. We participated in additional marches that resonated with us personally (Science March, tax march). I kept my kids involved with me and they continue to learn and participate.
What result do you think it produced?
A sense of community. A vehicle for organizing locally, a driver of enthusiasm that inspires action down the road.
If you plan to march this year, what is your goal?
Continue to reinforce strength through community, both locally and beyond. Continue to teach my daughters that they have the power of their voices when they witness injustice and unfairness.
If you want to march in NYC
- When: Rally begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20
- Where: The main entrance point will be between at 72nd & Central Park West and the rally begins at Central Park West & 61st/62nd street. The full block in front of the stage (61st to 62nd on Central Park West) will be reserved for those with disabilities.
- March: The march, starting about 12:30 p.m., goes past Columbus Circle, east on 59th Street, and south on 6th Avenue with exits at 45th/44th/43rd streets.
- If you are traveling from Rockland County: There is a round-trip bus leaving at 9 a.m. from commuter parking lot J at the Palisades Mall in West Nyack (behind Home Depot) and leaving NYC at 4:30 pm. Contact Michelle Solomon (845) 270-3889
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is New Audience Strategist and member of the Editorial Board for The Journal News/lohud, part of the USA Today Network. She also serves as an ombudswoman for the paper.
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