Women Rise Up: Post-March Action Party

by Tabby Biddle

I'm heading to Washington, D.C. next week! In case you've somehow not heard about the Women's March on Washington, that's where I'll be.

Hundreds of thousands of women and men from all over the country are gathering on January 21st to march for our human and civil rights, including dignity and respect in our communities, workplaces and national cultural conversation.

As a former DC resident, I am very excited to get back there and use my voice to preserve and grow the strength of our democracy.

Last month, however, I had a lot of trepidation about going to the march. My concerns about potential violence, terrorism and a backlash toward women were very present. Flashes of the violence that the British and American suffragettes faced in pursuit of their right to vote came before me. How would I react in the face of this violence? Would I stand my ground? Would I flee? Would I be endangered?

And then, of course, the thoughts of being across the country from my son and husband were daunting. I did not want to be apart from them at this critical time in our history, and yet I knew it was not sensible to bring my son along on this journey. My husband would stay home with him.

When I told my son that I would be taking this trip to D.C., he asked me: "Mommy, can I march with you?"

Although I told him that I would be marching for peace and respect in our communities, I did not tell him of my specific purpose to take a stand for women's rights. I found myself shuddering at the thought of explaining to this Mommy-loving 4.5 year-old boy that women do not have the same rights as men in our country, and that women were in danger of losing some of the rights we worked so hard gain. I did not want him to have this as his framework for understanding the world.

I remember one time I let it slip in front of him that in some countries women are not allowed to drive cars. He immediately welled up in tears, clearly distressed and cried, "No Mommy, that's not right! Why can't they drive cars?! No Mommy!"

I realized in that moment that I accidentally gave him a window into the oppression of women, and he did not like that one bit. This is a boy who has been raised in a Goddess-oriented family culture, and sees the goddesses as superheroes. Even going so far as to say: "Mommy, I'm a goddess!" (More on that later.)

The point is that we truly do have an opportunity for this next generation to come into the world seeing women and men as equals, different, but equal—deserving of equal rights, equal respect, equal dignity, equal opportunities.

I'm marching next Saturday for a country that honors women and men of every race, ethnicity and sexual orientation as deserving of dignity and equal opportunity.

I'm marching for my rights as a woman.

I'm marching for my son to grow up in a world that respects women, so that he, and every boy and man can also realize their own greatest potential.

For without the full respect of the feminine, and the assurance of women's rights, men and boys suffer too. A lack of equal rights for women and the under-representation of women in leadership positions across all facets, is a losing situation for everyone. Every boy and man comes into this world through a woman.

If you can't be in Washington, D.C. on January 21st, there are Sister Marches and Rallies happening around the country. All 50 states, along with 55 international cities, will participate in the Women's March on Washington. See a full list of cities hosting Sister Marches on Jan. 21st.

If you believe in your right to be heard and in everyone's right to respect and dignity, I encourage you to join your local march.

If you are going to be in D.C. for the big march, I invite you to come join me at an event we just announced that I am co-hosting with a powerhouse group of women after the march. We will harness the energy of the day and put action plans into place so that we can each move forward from the march as active leaders in our communities, workplaces and personal lives -- championing our human rights, dignity and respect, and leading the way toward parity and equity at all levels of leadership in society.

I promise you, YOU, your voice and your leadership are needed more than ever.

RSVP here for the Women Rise Up: Post-March Action Party.

(The event is happening near Capitol Hill at the Impact Hub. Appetizer and refreshments will be served, and there will also be a dance party!)

Space is limited. Please RSVP.

I am no longer afraid to march. My passion is too great. I am standing in solidarity with my sisters and brothers from around the country for what I know to be right and good, and the only way I believe we can truly pave a path toward human dignity, respect and peace.

If you stand for any of these things, I encourage you to march.