So we marched. We were unified, proud, and there were more of us across the world than anyone imagined. Now what?
Well, we don’t quit. We keep going. Kara Brown’s post on Jezebel, titled “I Want to Trust the Women’s Marchers,” crystallized sentiment I’ve heard elsewhere about the march. As she writes, “I don’t trust most of the Women’s March participants to show up again. I don’t trust the resolve of their concern.”
Let’s cement that resolve. Let’s keep up the momentum, and put our action where our footsteps have led us.
Take 10 Actions in 100 Days (via Women’s March on Washington):
The organizers of the Women’s March on Washington are encouraging their supporters to continue the momentum by taking 10 actions over the course of 100 days. The first plan of action is to write a postcard to your senators about what matters most to you — “and how you’re going to continue to fight for it in the days, weeks and months ahead.” Click that link — here it is again. They lead you through every step.
Here’s how to get lawmakers to listen up (via CNN.com):
Call elected officials with the help of Call Them In: “Timely email reminders with tailored call scripts at your fingertips, so you can oppose Donald Trump’s agenda and back progressive legislation in a meaningful way.”
Support progressive candidates in swing districts (whether you live in one or not) through Swing Left.
Tell lawmakers how the Affordable Care Act helped you or someone you know through Moms Rising.
Visit your representatives in person. “Every citizen has the right to seek a meeting or a lobby visit with their members of Congress,” writes CNN. The Human Rights Campaign is one of the many organizations that helps facilitate this, as does Planned Parenthood.
Recruit more women for public service at the United State of Women.org.
Get your neighbors to listen up, too:
Canvass to “take back democracy” with the help of #KnockEveryDoor. The organization is launching nationwide, volunteer-led canvasses to organize communities against Trump.
Speak Out Against Hate:
Planned Parenthood posted a list of seven things you can do to help Planned Parenthood and the communities it serves. One of the bullet points was “Speak Out Against Hate,” and they offered the below list of resources:
American Civil Liberties Union: “Help the ACLU take Trump to court if he pushes unconstitutional policies.”
Color of Change: “Join the nation’s largest online racial justice organization.”
Human Rights Campaign: “Help LGBTQ people get treated equally, everywhere.”
National Disability Rights Network: “Advocate for people with disabilities.”
Our100.org: “Take a stand with 100 women of color leaders.”
ShowingUpForRacialJustice.org: “Now is the moment for white people to be bold and join the movement for racial justice.”
Southern Poverty Law Center: “Make the promises of the Civil Rights Movement a reality for all.”
Transgender Law Center: “Ensure all can live safe, authentic lives regardless of gender identity or expression.”
Trust Black Women: “Report anti-abortion activity in the Black community to SisterSong and a Trust Black Women partner.”
United We Dream: Fight for relief and fair treatment for all undocumented immigrants.
Volunteer or donate money:
The ACLU: “For almost 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States.”
The American Immigration Council: “The American Immigration Council (‘Council’), established in 1987, works to strengthen America by honoring our immigrant history and shaping how America thinks about and acts towards immigrants and immigration.”
Black Lives Matter: “An affirmation of Black folks’ contributions to this society, our humanity, and our resilience in the face of deadly oppression.”
Emily’s List: “We ignite change by getting pro-choice Democratic women elected to office.”
Everytown: “Everytown is a movement of Americans working together to end gun violence and build safer communities.”
The Future Project: “Young people everywhere should have opportunity to discover their potential and build the skills they need to change their lives and world. We exist to make that dream a reality, and we’re starting in American high schools.”
HIAS: “HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety, and freedom.”
It Gets Better Project: “The It Gets Better Project’s mission is to communicate to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth around the world that it gets better, and to create and inspire the changes needed to make it better for them.”
KIND: “KIND staff and our pro bono attorney partners at law firms, corporations, and law schools nationwide represent unaccompanied immigrant and refugee children in their deportation proceedings. Together, we ensure that no child stands in court alone.”
The NAACP: “The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.”
NARAL Pro-Choice America: “NARAL was founded before Roe v. Wade, before legal abortion was even possible in the United States. We as an organization and as a progressive movement exist to fight for the dignity and equality of all Americans. We hold the line—in good times and in bad—to defend the freedoms that are enshrined in our constitution and that define what it means to be American.”
National Center for Transgender Equality: “The National Center for Transgender Equality is the nation’s leading social justice advocacy organization winning life-saving change for transgender people.”
Planned Parenthood: “Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of women, men, and young people worldwide.”
RAINN: “RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.”
Women’s Prison Association: “WPA works with women at all stages of criminal justice involvement. We promote alternatives to incarceration and help women living in the community to avoid arrest or incarceration by making positive changes in their lives. Inside prison and jail, we are a source of support to women and a resource to them as they plan for release. After incarceration, women come to WPA for help to build the lives they want for themselves and their families in the community.”
If you need mental health support:
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: 1-800-826-3632
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Mental Health America: 1-800-969-6642
Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860
Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
More resources:
Georgia Logothetis on Medium: You Marched. Now What?
Forbes: After The Women’s March: Six-Point Action Plan to Win
Bustle: Seven Women’s March Alternatives If You Can’t Make It
The Mary Sue: What to Do If You’re Trans and Live in America Now
Nicole Silverberg: What Can I Do Right Now?
Huffington Post: If You’re Overwhelmed by the Election, Here’s What You Can Do Now
Jezebel: A List of Pro-Women, Pro-Immigrant, Pro-Earth, Anti-Bigotry Organizations That Need Your Support
Bust: Anti-Muslim Hate Crimes Will Surely Increase. Here’s How to Not be a Bystander
And as always, we welcome all of your ideas.
To read: The Women of Planned Parenthood Are Not Giving Up Hope. Five Ways to Channel Your Energy Into Activism.
Photo via Getty Images.
