4 Years of Resisting, Persisting, and Transforming

Dear friends, supporters and allies,

Four years ago today, women marched in the millions to protest the policies of Donald Trump, who had just become president. We knew that his administration would be cruel to women, families, people of color, and immigrants. But we were not daunted, and we did not back down. Instead we channeled this energy into action, and we took to the streets. Millions of us came out the day after Trump’s inauguration, making it the largest single-day protest in American History.

Since our inaugural march in 2017, we have built from a moment to a movement. We began as a spontaneous protest by everyday women in response to Donald Trump’s rise to power, but we have grown into an organization with a unique ability to respond to and build the power  of everyday women. When women have called, we have consistently answered. Whether that has meant hosting our annual marches, knocking on doors to elect progressives, inspiring women to run for office, training volunteers to fight online misinformation, or standing alongside fellow activists like Ultraviolet and Planned Parenthood in the We Demand More coalition for gender justice, or The Movement for Black Lives and United We Dream in the Frontline formation for racial justice, we have been there for the most important fights of the last four years.

Though Trump’s election served as the impetus for Women’s March, the end of his administration does not mean our work is done. Women’s March wasn’t just built to resist – it was built to persist and transform. The activist and political participation we have seen over the past four years sowed seeds for an enduring progressive movement. It’s not enough that Biden has won, democracy needs to win, and there is more work to do to secure that victory. 

The Trump presidency has come to a disgraceful end with over 400,000 lives lost from COVID, and a disgraceful attack on the US Capitol and  democracy itself. The unfortunate remnants of the last four years will inform how we move forward as an organization and will motivate us in our fight. We are left with the vivid memories of his cruelest acts, from child separation to the frontline workers dressed in home made PPE as our country failed to meet the most basic standards of public health and safety in the wake of the pandemic that rages on. We will not quickly forget this inhumanity. Trump’s administration – along with the covid pandemic – also exacerbated issues and widened inequalities that have been here all along for many women in this country.

Our country is facing one crisis on top of another. Just last month, the US economy lost 140,000 jobs – all of which were held by Black and Brown women. This pandemic has taken more than 400,000 American lives, with people of color hit the hardest. And we are plagued by an unequal justice system and deep, systemic racism. So long as these and other problems persist, we will too. 

Biden’s win – and control over the House and Senate – is a win for us, and a definitive show of the strength of women across the country. We will celebrate it, but we will also keep fighting. For the first time, Women’s March has a seat at the table and a federal government that will actually listen. Just this week, we had the opportunity to participate in Biden’s inauguration. We will continue to find opportunities to elevate the day-to-day realities and concerns of everyday women and hold the Biden administration accountable, and we will continue to be uncompromising and vigilant in our fight.

Now, we can look ahead to the next four years with optimism, resolve, and a clear mission. We’re ready to get to work. 

Onwards,

Rachel 

Rachel O’Leary Carmona

Executive Director