Taking steps for action
Local woman shares why she’s heading to the Jan. 21 Women’s March on Washington
Boyertown and Pottstown area women will be joining thousands expected to take part in the Women’s March on Washington on Jan. 21, the day after Inauguration Day.
GiGi Malinchak of Boyertown will be one of those women. She’ll be heading to Washington D.C. via one of the three buses slated to travel from Pottstown to D.C. early Saturday morning.
“I march because I really am not hearing any talk by the new administration about protecting the rights and wellbeing of: women, minorities, marginalized citizens,” said Malinchak. She also mentioned immigrants and those who are incarcerated. “Who will look out for and speak up for these individuals? We need our government to know that we are closely watching and that we care about the wellbeing of these individuals -- of every individual in the United States.”
She doesn’t plan to sit down and be quiet when it comes to the wellbeing of individuals.
“We will fight for the rights and wellbeing of everyone.”
As soon as the Malinchak and her group made the decision to go the march back in November, they began to organize buses and she was thrilled to share the news.
“Marches helped with the civil rights movement of the 60’s and I believe its one powerful tool that we can use to be heard. There definitely is power in numbers. And you’ll see huge numbers at the march on January 21st.”
Malinchak will also be marching for her father.
“He passed 10 years ago, but he marched on Washington for civil rights in the 60’s. And I know if he were alive today, he’d be marching with me. And he kind of will be, as I will be wearing his socks. I saved them and I will be wearing them in his memory at the march.” She says it’s her own little way of bringing her father along. “He instilled these values in me: care for the greater community, concern for the marginalized. He
taught me to speak up and not remain silent when I see something wrong going on. He taught me to get involved and ‘give back.’”
The upcoming march also reminds Malinchak of Boyertown’s Annual Unity Walk
“I was on that walk committee for ten years. We walked and promoted acceptance, diversity and basically ‘A community that cares.’ And I believe we made a positive impact in Boyertown. And I want to do the same on a national level.”
The Women’s March on Washington is now just days away. Malinchak thinks is will be “empowering and refreshing” to spend the day with hundreds of thousands of like-minded individuals. It’s her hope that ‘Washington’ will be listening.