On the day after Donald Trump’s inauguration in January 2017, millions of women took to the streets in Washington D.C. and cities around the world to express collective rage about his election and show solidarity for women intent on fighting back against his presidency.
I was proud to be among them, right up front amid a sea of celebrities and elected and civic leaders. It was unforgettable and empowering.
Yet, as Trump’s second inauguration approaches, the call to march again for many of us is landing like a lead balloon.
Multiple women leaders of left-leaning or non-profit women’s organizations who I have reached out to since the election have said they have no interest in participating in the next women’s march, scheduled for Jan. 18, 2025, nor did they know others who planned to participate. All asked for anonymity for fear of alienating funders or colleagues, but responses ranged from a declarative “f-that” to a more thoughtful take that marching would be “performative.”
Overall, the consensus among the dozen leaders I spoke with was that it was a “bad idea.” One person who did speak publicly was Jotaka Eaddy, who organized some of the most powerful Black women in America to support Harris’ candidacy through Win With Black Women.
In her personal capacity, she posted on X that she did not plan to march and felt the funds required to put it on would be better spent supporting organizations run by women of color.
The question is, Why? The issues facing women in a second Trump term are manifold. His cabinet........