By Mary Nunez/ reporter
Participants in the recent women’s marches told a TR audience March 8 that women’s voices need to be heard.
The panel of four women took part in national and local women’s marches in January. Freelance reporter Leslie Lutz said she was intrigued by signs in the Washington march.
“One of them said, ‘Things are so bad that the introverts are here,’” she said. “And yeah, I’ve never done anything like that, get on a plane, fly to DC, holding a sign. I think at the time I just needed to do something.”
Lutz said many people believed the same way.
“It was important to show the truth,” she said. “This is really how a lot of us are feeling, and we’d like in this democracy to have our voices heard.”
High school senior Molly Bartell, who was present at the march in Austin and is an advocate for the LGBT community’s rights, said she differs with the opinion that feminists are pro-abortion.
“Well, no one is pro-abortion,” she said “We’re pro-choice. No one celebrates the act. It is not an easy choice to make and is not an easy situation to go through.”
Bartell also explained that being a feminist should not be associated with hating men but rather seeking equality between men and women.
The panelists also shared their feelings after the marches. Evelyn Barker, director of grants for the library at UT Arlington, said she feared the momentum of the marches being transient, but, to her surprise, it hasn’t.
“People are still fighting, are still standing up for some of the issues,” said Barker, who was at the Austin march.
The panelists explained how their involvement in politics nationally and locally has increased since their march participation.
“I started making weekly calls to all of my representatives,” Barker said. “I realized it was probably effective when the guy from, I guess it was [Sen.] Ted Cruz’s office, said, ‘Oh yeah, we have your information.’ Yes, you do!”
TCC district buyer Leah Price, one of the organizers of the Fort Worth march, said she has been trying to increase not only hers but also local citizens’ participation.
“We started a Facebook group. It’s called Stay Local, Get Vocal,” she said “We try to keep people organized and keep the momentum going.”
Price said the Facebook page informs about upcoming local events and legislation as well as tips on how to contact local representatives.
