Inspiring a new generation of activists

Ayear ago, I was feeling incredulous that our great country, a country that has overcome so much, could elect a man who stood in opposition to all we held sacred. After Hillary Clinton’s loss, my husband looked at me and said, “I’m sorry that our country would elect someone like Donald Trump before it would elect a woman.” And that is exactly what I was feeling.

It was as though we had kicked women’s rights and due respect back a hundred years. I felt powerless. So, when I heard about the Women’s March, I was inspired and planned on attending and taking my three daughters, so that they could see that we still had a voice. However, the morning of the march, we woke up to freezing temperatures and snow. I gave my husband and my girls an out, but told them that I still planned on attending.

To my surprise, they were determined to bundle up, bring their signs and get out there. I was feeling disappointed because I thought the weather would keep most people indoors, but as we drove into the downtown area and people poured out of cars and parking lots, I was overcome. It was aweinspiring to see an ocean of pink hats and signs peeking out over a crowd of chanting people. Suddenly, individual voices transformed into a collective cry that said, “We will settle for no less than the full protection of our rights.”

A year later, I continue to be incredu-

lous, almost on a daily basis, by the president’s words and actions. His political agenda continues to destroy our environment, damage international relations and feed the demoralization of our immigrant and female population.

However, looking back, I can say that Donald Trump has given the people of the United States a precious gift. He made us feel threatened and he made us pay attention. He also showed us what can happen when we suffer from political apathy. This past year, I have seen more local action than I ever thought possible. I have seen people rising up and saying, “What can I do?” There has been such ingenuity in using technology and social media to organize and bring attention to things that need to be changed. And in spite of all of the derogatory treatment of women by Trump, or maybe because of it, I have seen women become more empowered than ever.

So did the Women’s March make a difference? I believe it did. It lit a flame under experienced activists and created many new activists, three in my household alone. My daughters got a taste of what it feels like to come together with a common purpose and to find power in unity. It also provided me with hope that together we will be able to create real and permanent change in elections to come, and it reminded many that women are capable of doing amazing things, even things like running an entire country.

Ann Porterfield-Ortiz is an interventionist at Amy Biehl Community School.

However, looking back, I can say that Donald Trump has given the people of the United States a precious gift. He made us feel threatened and he made us pay attention.