So today I went on a training hike with over 100,000 people. And by training hike, of course I mean I was marching with the Boston Women’s March.
“But Hannah, what does this have to do with the trail?”
On the most basic level, these things are related as I will not sit by and watch a cabinet of climate change deniers ravage a world that they won’t even inhabit much longer (considering a portion of them are in their late 70’s). I will not allow the EPA to destroy the protections put in place, or find a way to allow the Department of the Interior to give away protected lands (such as national and state forests/parks).
On a not so basic level, I marched today because as a woman I should not have to be afraid. I am fortunate enough to have supportive men in my life, who do not behave in the ways outlined by the recently inaugurated Cheeto. But I know many women in the hiking community who are scared to hike alone, due to the men who are emboldened by this “locker room banter” or fascist/racist sludge that spews from their mouths. I refuse to allow a world where that becomes the norm, where women are scared to pursue the outdoors, or jobs, or anything because of what a man could do or say to them.
I marched because I live by the C5 code. I work to represent myself and my community well, to hold myself to a higher standard, to build the future I wish to see, and to respect each member of my community (though admittedly, respect is earned & this is the trickiest one to follow).
I marched because when my students say “Black Lives Matter” I want to show to them that not only do I agree, but I will use the power I have to be there and march with that movement and be an advocate for them. Because I know that anyone can agree to a statement like “Black Lives Matter” but actions speak louder than words, and agreeing is not the same as being an ally.
I marched because when I reassure these students that “it’ll all be okay” I’m not just saying that to say that, but actually taking the steps (both literal and figurative) to ensure that it will be. Call it practicing what you preach, call it my way of showing that their voices and stories matter, I’ll call it being a role model who is actually trying to model the leadership and reciprocate the leadership that they have taught and shown me. I thank them for educating me so much, and will continue to be active like this, for them.
I marched because I have seen the effects of poverty and a dysfunctional HUD/housing system that leaves families waiting for housing for years. We are one of the most educated countries in the world, so why do we have the highest levels of homelessness? Why are we not helping these forgotten people? (Statistically speaking by the way, most are single mothers and children under 6).
I could go on and on, about how I support PP, LGBTQ rights, equality and equal pay, access to healthcare and quality treatment, and access to quality education, but I won’t because if you know me, you already know these things.
So instead I’ll leave it at this. I am proud as hell to come from families where women are valued. My great grandmothers were fierce immigrant women who took no shit, and built strong families. My grandmothers were and are some of the strongest, well-poised & proud women I have ever had the pleasure of knowing (and again, did not take shit from anybody). My mother has continued this legacy and raised me to be just as fierce, bold, unapologetic, charismatic, informed & poised as the women who formed the roots of our family tree.
I marched to maintain their legacy & the legacy of the women and men who protested, marched, and rebelled to get us to where we are today. I saw their faces reflected in the faces of those surrounding me, felt their warmth and love as the sun shone on my face & knew that this is where I needed to be, this is where my trail took me today.