Photo via The Women’s March
On Saturday, January 21—President Trump’s first full day in office—millions of people across cities, countries, and even continents took to the streets to fight for gender equality and reject the newly-inaugurated president’s attitude toward women. Although achieving equal rights was the primary goal of the march, many participants have flocked to Twitter to share their specific and personal reasons for joining the cause using the hashtag, #WhyIMarch.
Inspired by the official Women’s March on Washington , the string of demonstrations provided an empowering platform for people of all genders, races, nationalities, and religious beliefs to support and empower females for various reasons. Groups of people marched for their family members, others participated to defend those most in need, some did it for their role models, and many joined to finally empower themselves.
Whatever the motivation, the message is loud and clear: women’s rights are human rights.
Using the hashtag, #WhyIMarch, Twitter users have shared their personal reasons for participating in the Women’s March.
I’m marching because the freedom to decide what to do with one’s body is the most basic and profound human right. #WomensMarch #whyIMarch
— Casey Casias (@thebravengineer) January 10, 2017
To demand equality, reproductive rights, safety for people of all races, beliefs, gender or sexual identities. For Justice! #WhyIMarch
— wendi (@WendiUnraveled) January 10, 2017
#WhyIMarch because everyone deserves the same rights, no matter their gender, race, origin, or sexuality #WomensMarch
— Ariana Moore (@goodenoughfor) January 21, 2017
Many women marched to ensure such rights for their daughters and granddaughters.
One reason I’m attending #WomensMarch is b/c I want to be the role model my daughter deserves #whyIMarch
— Sarah Nyswonger (@yosemitezoo) January 10, 2017
It is unfathomable that equal rights don’t exist & my 21 yr old daughter has to deal w/ sexual, financial & social oppression #whyIMarch pic.twitter.com/9lTW0HWwno
— Allison Banks (@alliesuz) January 10, 2017
#WhyIMarch #January21 @womensmarch – I march for my granddaughter and all young girls! pic.twitter.com/zP7Kt4BeX8
— Mary Anita Williams (@marwillias47) January 10, 2017
Some even joined to send a positive message to their sons.
#WhyWeMarch @hrw pic.twitter.com/tq2xmc41tl
— Sarah Taylor (@sarahWPS) January 21, 2017
I’ll never forget when my 3 year old son, Mateo Ali told me that he wants to be @HillaryClinton when he grows up. That matters. #WhyIMarch
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) January 20, 2017
Others participated to represent their mothers and grandmothers…
Marching b/c my mom came to this country so I could have the opportunities she was denied for being a woman #WhyIMarch pic.twitter.com/nYCrtunQ4S
— Bonnie (@bonniecasillas) January 10, 2017
I march in loving memory of my Grandma who never had the chance to go to school #WhyIMarch @hrw pic.twitter.com/7ZjgxUtctb
— Annerieke Smaak (@AnneriekeSmk) January 21, 2017
And all women.
For the women who fought for the vote, her seat on the bus and her place in the office. #WhyIMarch #WomensMarch #Seattle
— Stephanie Timken (@Stimken) January 21, 2017
Yes, I’m a loving husband & father of 2 girls. But I march because men should cherish, respect, & support women. Full stop. #WhyIMarch
— Go Big Rev (@ScotAlanJohnson) January 13, 2017
I’m joining the @womensmarch in Washington on Saturday to support everyone who feels threatened by what’s happening in America #WhyIMarch
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) January 20, 2017
@womensmarch I’m marching because, like most women, I too am human, & support human rights & equality. Also, these characters #whyimarch pic.twitter.com/ekvyuR35zi
— bpinder (@bpinder) January 10, 2017
Team CHANGE marching for all women, sex workers included. #WomensMarch #BreakBarriers pic.twitter.com/fHdWnk0IcF
— CHANGE (@genderhealth) January 21, 2017
For the rights of the generations to come 💛 #whyIMarch #WomensMarch
— Shelby Wulfert (@ShelbyWulfert) January 21, 2017
…Including, of course, themselves.
I march because I am a woman with a disability and I refuse to be bullied into silence #whyIMarch @womensmarch
— Linda Kelchner (@profe105) January 14, 2017
I’m never going to let anyone tell me I am not enough because I’m Latina, a woman and POC. #WhyIMarch
— I Ain’t Sorry ✊ (@JennZoet) January 10, 2017
I am marching to be strengthened and uplifted. I am hoping to gather knowledge on how to go forward #WhyIMarch
— Karen Lambert (@mamaslambert) January 10, 2017
I am everything he thinks is evil- Mexican, female, immigrant, scientist, educated, not scared, successful, open-minded #WhyIMarch #Jan21 🇺🇸
— Martha (@smilybean04) January 10, 2017
#WhyIMarch: I have decided not to be reduced by any events, social or political, that aim to rob me of my dignity. #FBF Angelou & Steinem pic.twitter.com/6Yd9H93ln4
— Lupita Nyong’o (@Lupita_Nyongo) January 20, 2017
Many people marched as allies for those who need extra support.
#whyIMarch because immigrants are here to stay and they are what make this country great. #WomansMarch pic.twitter.com/cdAZgM4kBB
— Wendy 👑 (@_wendayflowers) January 21, 2017
Sending love to my undocumented sisters and brothers. I will fight with you and for you. #HereToStay #WhyIMarch
— Linda Sarsour (@lsarsour) January 20, 2017
I’m marching to show solidarity with and LISTEN to others for whom this system does not and has never worked. #WhyIMarch
— Jenna Couch (@PastorJenna) January 13, 2017
@womensmarch As a therapist, client survivors have been destabilized with a sexual predator elected to POTUS. 1 reason #whyIMarch
— Lauren F (@nocheetosaz) January 10, 2017
And for Planned Parenthood, a vital and threatened organization.
For the millions of men & women who rely on Planned Parenthood for their health care needs. #WhyIMarch pic.twitter.com/2dMYon8JGH
— Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) January 21, 2017
#whyIMarch because Planned Parenthood helped me when my doctor refused to listen.
— Yvonncé (@tigermouth) January 22, 2017
Back from the March and hanging up my sign #marchonlansing #whyimarch #WomensMarch #PlannedParenthood @PPact pic.twitter.com/bJbNIvwPqC
— Awesome Tasia (@TasiaBass28) January 22, 2017
To support Planned Parenthood text GIVE to 22422 @PPact #WhyIMarch #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/uSNpyz6Zx8
— Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) January 22, 2017
And many, unsurprisingly, did it as a big ‘thank you’ to Hillary Clinton.
#whyIMarch: #imarchfor Hillary Clinton, the millions of girls she has inspired to #dreambig, and the Madam POTUS we will one day elect. pic.twitter.com/04z8yyWTmB
— (((sfpelosi))) (@sfpelosi) January 20, 2017
@womensmarch I march because the Revolution Is Female. It was always female, and will always be in Hillary’s name. #WhyIMarch pic.twitter.com/PTEpvkkVir
— Kristen Blush (@KristenBlush) January 10, 2017
“Human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights.” – Hillary Rodham Clinton, Beijing, 1996. #WhyIMarch #AddHerName
— Kristen D (@mskristenmd) January 20, 2017
To honor those female warriors, trailblazers, like Hillary Clinton-and give voice to their concerns in a new era. #whyimarch
— Women’s March Oregon (@womensmarchOR) December 19, 2016
We are beautiful👯. We are powerful👸. We are deserving✌. #WearTheCrown #WomensMarchOnWashington #whyIMarch pic.twitter.com/3hn6JMKszt
— CnfesionsOfANovelist (@CnfesnsOfANvlst) January 23, 2017
The Women’s March may be over, but our work has just begun.
To learn how you can still support the cause, be sure to check out the official website of the Women’s March. And, if you were one of the million marchers, be sure to share your own reason for participating by using the hashtag #whyIMarch on Twitter.