Happy International Women’s Day! On top of it being Women’s History Month, there have been some amazing things happening in the world to promote women and equality. Nike is becoming more inclusive by now selling a plus size line and a Nike Pro Hijab. There has been a huge wave of mainstream media outlets creating more feminist content. There are also tons of brands that have created ad campaigns to promote gender equality, inclusion, and acceptance (for example look at Audi and JCPenney). And, of course, one of the biggest, history-making events that has occurred recently was the Women’s March in January.
So, in honor of International Women’s Day, I wanted to share some of the reasons why this day, this month, and this time in our lives is so important. Although I wasn’t able to attend the Women’s March, I had a group of friends, young inspiring journalists and graduate students, who drove to Washington D.C. to participate. So I asked some of them why they marched and I want to share that with you!
“I felt it was important for me to go to the Women’s March in D.C. because I knew it was an event that deserved coverage. As a journalist who focuses on the intersection of art and social justice, this is a critical time to understand and exercise our First Amendment rights. In order to achieve progress it is necessary to listen to marginalized voices and I will use any journalistic platform to help project and celebrate these voices.” —Brianna Kirkham (@BriKirk)
“Someone actually approached me at the march and asked why I was there. He seemed a bit lost himself, so I wasn’t sure if he was being provocative or genuinely wanted to know. I told him I was marching for women’s rights and to observe as a journalist, since I’m writing an experiential story about it for Medley Magazine. But really, I was marching for so much more. I marched for all the women in my life who deserve equal rights and deserve to have their voices heard, no matter who is in office. I marched for my mother, my grandmothers, and great grandmothers. I marched for my girlfriend and her mother. I marched for all my friends who are strong, resilient, beautiful women no matter their shape or size. And I marched for women at my school, like you, who are doing some of the most amazing work I’ve seen and deserve to be treated with respect once they enter the workforce. I marched to make my father and grandfathers proud. They, too, would have marched last weekend if they could have.” —Elliot Williams (@ecwilliams30)
“It was important for me to go cover the event because I knew it would be one the most historic moments of my lifetime. I’ve always been drawn to social activism, the right to assembly and all, and when I got into journalism, I realized that it gives me the chance to help other people understand and know about these things. There was an infectious energy in Washington. I could feel it from behind my camera lens. People from all walks of life, from the youngest of children to the oldest, wisest women I had the pleasure of meeting, came together to make their voices heard. That’s one of the main points of journalism, isn’t it? To make sure people have their voices heard. So it was only natural to hop in a car, go down there, and make some content.” —Aline Martins (@Aline_P_Martins)
Don’t forget that despite the political climate and negativity in the world, if we stand together then there can create progress. Feminism is worthless without intersectionality and inclusion. If we truly want progress, then we must recognize the rights of ALL women regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, size, occupation, social status, economic status, etc.
