ROCKFORD — Chanting and marching to the beat of drums, an estimated 1,500 people took to the streets of Rockford on Saturday to protest and take a stand for women’s rights.

This was the second march in Rockford, which began last year in response to Donald Trump's inauguration as the country's 45th president. This year's march, organizers said, was meant to be more inclusive of men, harnessing the power of solidarity in protecting and advancing women's rights. It appeared that more men and families turned out.

"I want my daughter to see, and model for her, what men in her life should do and be," said Scott Zibell, 34, of Roscoe, who attended the march carrying a sign that read: "I look up to my wife."

Women's marches were held across the country Saturday. Hundreds of thousands marched in downtown Chicago on Saturday, protesting President Donald Trump and his policies and pledging to make their voices heard in this year’s elections. Similar crowds gathered in Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Seattle and other communities. 

Zibell, marketing manager for Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, march in Rockford with his wife, Stephanie Zibell, 35, a business consultant, and two children, Emara, 6, and Abraham, 3. He said he's seen how hard his wife has worked, the obstacles she has faced and the opportunities for which she was passed over — because she's a woman.

Stephanie Zibell, who is going back to school to become a civil rights lawyer, said it was important for the children to witness activism.

"We talk a lot about equal rights and justice and being fair and sticking up for people," Stephanie Zibell said. "The world isn't about you."

360 PHOTO: Marcher’s depart from Joe Marino Park during the Rockford Women’s March on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, in Rockford. Click and drag your mouse to change the angle of view. [PHOTO BY SCOTT P. YATES/RRSTAR.COM STAFF]

Jenny Cleveland, 43, of Rockford, and her husband, Dave, brought their 4-year-old daughter, Josie.

Carrying a sign that read "Labor rights are women's rights," Cleveland, an elementary school teacher, said women have made progress, but "a lot has come to light that women don't have an equal seat at the table."

Eric Foster, 39, of Rockford, carried a hot pink sign reading "This is what a feminist looks like," which was made by his daughters.

Foster, night supervisor for Swedish American Hospital's lab, brought his daughters to the march, saying, "I want them to have equal rights, equal pay, (and) have the choices and opportunities men have had for years."

Elyzabeth Foster, 14, wants to be free of demeaning treatment from men.

"Cat-calling. I've been cat-called three times" several years ago while selling Girl Scout cookies, she said.

Her younger sister, Meredyth Foster, 13, said guys just expect girls to pick up after them and cook for them.

"When we're older we're going to have to deal with this same stuff," she said. "We'd rather deal with it now than later."

360 PHOTO: Rockford Women’s March participants rally at Second First Church at N. Church Street on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, in Rockford. Click and drag your mouse to change the angle of view. [PHOTO BY SCOTT P. YATES/RRSTAR.COM STAFF]

Erin O'Gorman, 35, of Rockford, marched with friends from work at the Winnebago County Juvenile Detention Center, where she works as a detention officer. She said women aren't going to stand by and let their rights be eroded.

"We're making strides. We're making our issues more public," she said. "When Hillary (Clinton) was running (for president), everybody was saying we can't have a woman because she's emotional, rash. We have that in the president now."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Kristen Zambo: 815-987-1339; kzambo@rrstar.com; @KristenZambo