musings on the 2017 Women’s March, published on the day of the 2018 Women’s March

as soon as i heard of the 2017 Women’s March, it was immediately clear to me that i would participate
which is odd, as i have never been moved towards political activism
too lazy, too convinced that i had other, quiet work to do

but this moment feels about showing up
consistently and with intention
for community, for humanity

so i went to the March on a bus that departed at 2 am from Middletown, CT
with my momma, and other women i love and respect
we were sent off by the Middletown Mayor, Dan Drew
driven by the jovial and conscientious Larry and welcomed in RFK stadium by a smiling and efficient Skedaddle employee

the entire day was characterized by great courtesy
the weather balmy, a fittingly spring-like day
i’ve never seen so many smiling faces in one place
at the rest stop on our way, women smiled sleepily, quietly waiting their turn in the first of many long lines for the bathroom

from my perspective, the march started immediately
we got off the buses to a sea of other buses,
an inordinate number from Connecticut and from all over the country
women proudly sporting their homemade “pussy” hats and handmade signs
wearing rainbow flags and sensible shoes
smiling, energized, in spite having “slept” on a bus

i loved the signs
i hadn’t felt creative or courageous enough to make a sign – but i was so grateful others had
the signs were thoughtful and witty
they made you pause, laugh out loud, nudge your neighbor, take a picture
they demonstrated concern for humanity, for our planet
they weren’t irascible, idiotic, insouciant

marchers progressed spiritedly along a route helpfully outlined by people in orange vests
early on, there was a van giving away prints from The Amplifier Foundation
our group snagged “Women are Perfect” and “Womanhood: Achieving our full selves by fully embracing each other”
all were courteous, helping to pass the posters, ensuring that everyone received

we marched along east capitol street with hoards of others
cheered on by residents on their porches snuggled with their coffee
we took photos of the architecture and the signs,
delirious with excitement yet diligently searching for coffee
we descended on The Cupboard Neighborhood Market desperate and hopeful, just as the owner (?) came out to greet us and reassure that if we had patience, they had coffee
he escorted some of us to the back to wait in line for their employee bathroom and ensured we had plenty of toilet paper
in line we smiled at each other and exchanged stories, of overnight bus rides from Savannah, GA and Minnesota
we delighted in the energy of the day
we waited for the bathroom and
coffee, mixed brewed with instant – to keep up with the crowds
people waited patiently, lots of “after you” and “excuse me”

we marched on the sidewalks until the roads were closed and then we marched in the streets
we marched past the exquisite Capitol Hill Seventh Day Adventist Church, “where kindness is intentional”
church members stood on their steps waving and welcoming, handing out water to the marchers
many residents lined the street, offering hugs and encouragement
families of all races, seemingly touched that we showed up
there were signs and rainbow flags on the lawns
lots of waving
music piped in from upper floor apartments
a neighborhood commitment to black and white signs with MLK quotes

we marched until we saw the capitol building in the fog
and we looked at each other and smiled
we tried to photograph ourselves and bystanders offered so we’d all be in the picture
the day proceeded joyfully and without incident
marchers cleared the way for the fatigued, disabled, elderly to maneuver or rest’
allowed little children to picnic in the middle of the street

we ended the day in the Rayburn Building at receptions hosted for Connecticut and Maine residents
where it was warm, with clean bathrooms and hot running water
by the time we got to the Connecticut reception the food was finished, but Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro was gracious and energized
we headed to the Maine reception where Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and other residents joyfully traded numbers about the day’s turnout

it was a day of unity in diversity
a “gathering of the vibes”
it was a day that held my heart warmly in its hands