On Saturday, January 21, approximately 500,000 citizens from across the United States flooded the streets of the nation’s capital city to participate in the Women’s March on Washington. Among the marchers were Houghton’s own Kristina LaCelle-Peterson, professor of Religion, and Nancy Murphy, Title IX Coordinator and Counselor, and several other Houghton alumni and current students.
According to NPR, the march, which began at 1:15 p.m. on Independence Avenue near the U.S. Capitol building, was organized by a national committee of women with the intention of promoting social justice for all. Their official website says that their mission is to “stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families – recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country.” In regards to the march, they wrote, “This march is the first step towards unifying our communities, grounded in new relationships, to create change from the grassroots level up…we work peacefully while recognizing there is no true peace without justice and equity for all.”
The march attracted citizens from at least 40 states, including New York. LaCelle-Peterson found out about the march through the newspaper, Facebook, and a number of environmental and other justice oriented groups. When asked why she decided to attend, she said, “I wanted to march to raise my voice against the hatefulness of the rhetoric of the administration that came to power.” She added, “As a Christian person I am saddened that millions of people have been insulted, as if they are not human beings made in the image of God and worthy of respect.” LaCelle-Peterson also marched to push for stronger environmental policies, and to stand against wage suppressions, the removal of worker protections, and the reduction of social programs that will affect women and children living in poverty. She emphasized Martin Luther King Jr.’s framework for nonviolence. She stated, “The organizers make clear that this is not a movement against specific politicians but against policies that would make it hard for the vulnerable in society to thrive.”
Murphy also found out about the Women’s March via Facebook, and was immediately responsive to the event. She commented, “I felt deep down that I must go.” Women’s issues have always been important to Murphy, especially in her professional life. Her job often involves working with those who are vulnerable. She mentioned a feeling of helplessness when seeing the injustices that affect many people, especially women, and knew that she must do something. In this case, she wanted to stand in solidarity with those who are vulnerable. She chose to march for the safety and welfare of women, and for the healthy treatment of everyone. Additionally, she expressed her sadness over the support of an insensitive man to vulnerable people, “Christians are called to reconciliation and healing.” Murphy also added that she hoped the march would not be a reflection on the divided and angry feelings of the people, but a show of positivity and solidarity.
According to their website, the Women’s March on Washington is a branch of Women’s March Global, a larger organization committed to women’s rights priorities in health, economic security, representation, and safety. WMG states, “Women’s March Global seeks to build local coalitions of grassroots organizers and empower them as part of a sustainable global network.”
In addition to the marching in Washington on Saturday, about 300 sister marches took place in other cities in the U.S. and around the world, on all 7 continents. Locally, there were marches in Buffalo, Seneca Falls, and Rochester. Kimberly Eclipse, Administrative Assistant in the Counseling Center, attended the march in Buffalo. She commented, “It was a positive, peaceful, empowering, family-friendly event. We demanded that our new political leaders maintain, not dismantle, the progress our country has made in granting increased equality and justice for all groups of people.”