In what was recorded as the largest single day protest in history, an estimated 4 million people gathered to march in cities across the globe in support of basic human rights.
Whether marchers had supported one side or the other in the United State’s 45th Presidential election last November. participants in the 2017 Women’s March on Washington marched for far more than the results of the polls. Women, men, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, gathered and marched in their respective cities for more than one cause, the underlying being basic women’s rights as describe in the Unity Principle:
We believe that Women’s Rights are Human Rights and Human Rights are Women’s Rights. We must create a society in which women – including Black women, Native women, poor women, immigrant women, disabled women, Muslim women, lesbian queer and trans women – are free and able to care for and nurture their families, however they are formed, in safe and healthy environments free from structural impediments.”
Those who gathered, gathered to end violence. They gathered to support reproductive, LGBTQIA, worker’s, civil, disability and immigrant rights. They gathered to advocate for environmental justice. While social media and news casts flooded screens with images of marchers and their signs flooding the streets of the largest cities, images that struck chords with those watching were of mothers, breastfeeding, pumping and carrying kids in tow.
Here are some of our favorite moms from Saturday’s March
Moms who breastfed
Moms like Sydney, who struck a chord with those around her.
I see mamas breastfeeding in public spaces a lot. It’s a beautiful thing, but watching it happen during the Women’s March brought tears to my eyes. Sydney and her family flew the red eye from LA on Saturday to attend the Women’s March on Washington. As I was sitting next to her, I couldn’t help but feel extra emotional. I almost couldn’t hold it in. THIS IS WHY WE MARCH. For choice, for equality, for the future, for the betterment of humanity. Thank you Sydney, for allowing me to capture this.”
@yowzafrow
Moms like Miranda, with her daughter Juniper, who took a break from the march.
#WhyImarch”
Photo credit: Nicole Juarez
Moms like Kelly, who bumped into another mom on the same feeding schedule.
2 moms who ran into each other while feeding their babies at the Women’s March.”
@baby.mama.kellz
Moms who Pumped
Moms like Celia, who came with signs showing their support for ACA and fundamental rights.
Our signs at the #chicago Women’s March this morning – Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights ??❤ I pumped three bottles to make it to the march today!”
@chicagojogger
Moms like Kelly pumped during the March with smiles.
because 80% of our lawmakers have no idea what this feels like”
-@kelly_Seeds
Moms like Lauren, who did their part, even through the rain.
When you gotta pump and fight for human rights at the same time ?”
@statera_pax
Moms who prepped before and after
Moms like Triathlete Margaret, with her little, who one hydrated before their march in Portland.
On the way to #womensmarchpdx #publicbreastfeeding#normalizebreastfeeding“
@vegmargaret
After their march, moms like Heidi and her little one refreshed from their walk.
Post march snack “
@heidijanevet
Moms with more causes than one
In Seattle, moms like Amy taught her young daughter about her rights to her body.
Her body, her choice, and her rights.”
@amy_sung
Moms like Jaynina marched with, and for, her children.
#whyimarch #womxnsmarchseattle”
@jayneenuhprince
Moms like Hannah challenged the world to stand up for people’s rights.
Frankie Mei is strong enough to stand up for her rights…are you? “
@hanjomei
In LA, Moms like Micaela took a moment to normalize breastfeeding.
One of my favorite breastfeeding pictures to date!
Photo credit: @vimoverissimo
Moms like Chelsea reiterated the words of all women having a choice.
Hear me roar ??? ”
chelseadreamin
Moms who were photographed at the right moment
Moms in all cities were beautifully photographed, like this breastfeeding mother, by Tara in DC.
Breastfeeding during the @womensmarch on Washington today in Washington DC”
@tararubyphotography
Moms like Alana taught their daughters about HUMAN rights.
Women’s rights are human rights.”
@babiesarenormal
Moms like Cat had a great day marching, while breastfeeding, all the way in Lansing.
We had a wonderful day in Lansing”
@thehadleyhome
Moms like @ketchupisveggie brought all their babies to the march.
FrenchFry and I marching in NOLA today.”
@ketchupisveggie
Moms like Melissa K, who brought her 6 week old daughter Delia for her first march milestone.
Baby Delia’s first march.”
@carablaine
And moms like Stephanie had no words, but the right symbols to show her support.
#normalizebreastfeeding #wearallthebabies #womensrightsarehumanrights #womensmarch #theresistance #wesleymorrishoward #thefutureisfemale“
@mommasomm
How incredible are all these moms?
Photo credit: @noragoldman
How awesome is the solidarity of women to keep doing what they do to normalize breastfeeding and raise children with the mindset to stand up for our beliefs and rights?
Be sure to join us in our social media accounts to be up to date with the progress of our project!
And… Don’t forget to share your brelfies using our hashtag
#BreastfeedingWorld
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Betty Rose is a writer and the voice behind the #MomLife Column. Born and raised on the Pacific Island of Guam, she now resides in Seattle, Washington. After having her first child, she began sharing her new role as a Chamorro mother living in the stats and continues to contribute feature stories of Pacific Island communities in other publications. She embraces the diversity, the struggles of motherhood and hopes that, through her writing, she can break and bring awareness to the barriers set on minority communities across the world.
