As I marched toward the King Street metro station with my sisters, a trickle of pink "pussyhats" began to make their way into D.C. As I boarded the metro Saturday morning, I had no idea that I would be a part of history in the making. I eventually found out that it was quite possibly the biggest mass mobilization in response to a presidential inauguration in American history.
The mood on the metro was contagiously positive and encouraging. Men, women and children of all races and creeds cheered, laughed and cried tears of joy. Each and every time the crowd cheered, I was overcome with extreme joy and pride and my eyes filled with tears. Everyone adorned their "pussy hats," and those without, were gifted one by other women who had knitted extras. From the very beginning, there was an atmosphere of peace, immense strength and unity.
When we exited the metro and marched into the city, the atmosphere was dreamlike. Literally, hundreds of thousands of men and women coming together with a common message: "We are here, we are strong, we are women, we support women and our rights are not an option."
As the day progressed it became visibly clear that the estimate of 200,000 attendees crowds were shoulder to shoulder, and if you were stuck in a crowd it could be hours before you made your way out. Even with this feeling of claustrophobia, I felt safe as I was with my sisters, united strong. People chanted, sang inspirational songs, and carried signs with messages for the new president. Even with the chaos and crowds, the protest remained peaceful, and everyone was polite with one another, including law enforcement. There was a mutual feeling of respect from everyone. It was at this time that I was overcome with a feeling of pride.
I was proud of being a woman, I was proud of my fellow Americans, and I was proud of every single person that made today a positive part of American history. I was deeply honored to be a part of such an inspirational event.
There was a time when rumors circulated during the rally that the actual march would be cancelled due to the sheer number of people. It would be an impossible feat to usher the masses down the designated route. This did nothing to deter the crowd and without provocation or direction, people began their own marches toward the White House by any route possible. It was a sight of which I have never seen the like. Again the excitement, passion and determination felt by all was unfathomable. Together hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder, we marched in unity with a common goal.
As we headed home Saturday evening giddy with the day’s excitement, I was filled with happiness, hope, and clarity. This movement is just getting started, and we are united and so, so very strong. As one of my favorite posters from the day stated, “You tried to throw dirt on us, but what you didn’t understand is that we are seeds.”
Helen Timmons
activist
Lewes
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