They marched for range of causes
It’s been less than two weeks since Donald Trump has assumed his duties as the 45th president of the United States, and it appears the nation remains as divided as it was even long before the November election.
Trump’s inauguration was held on Jan. 20, and the day after, millions of Americans, both women and men, participated in a Women’s March, which started in Washington, D.C., but spread across the United States and around the globe in cities such as Des Moines. The Des Moines march drew many Iowa supporters, including a group from right here in Montgomery County, which included Ann Iverson, Jennifer Horner, Sarah Smith, Elizabeth Wearin, Pastor Donald Morgan, Martha Wenstrand, Jan Norris, Patsy Norris, and Carrie Shalters.
Shalters reflected on the march, and said it was a positive atmosphere with many people voicing concerns about the rights of women, minorities, the environment, immigration and so forth. She said she personally felt a little overwhelmed by all the issues, but in thinking back, “I believe that is because so many people are hoping for their voices to be heard.
Shalters said her initial reason for participating in the march in Iowa was due to environmental concerns.
“I am concerned that the environment will be disregarded with the new presidential administration and also in the Iowa state government. With seeing so many concerns being voiced, I began to see the diversity and complexity of issues that are being ignored or barely addressed, or at least that is public perception. It was heartening to see people gathering together and adding their voice to the democratic process. I don’t feel as though the atmosphere was a protest, but more of a ‘See me, hear my voice and listen. These are my concerns,’” Shalters said.
Shalters went on to say that she was disappointed, yet not surprised, the masses who marched weren’t addressed by President Trump.
“Regardless of whether it was in opposition to his forthcoming polices or not, quality leadership is shown by addressing opposing viewpoints and validating those viewpoints, whether or not one’s own policies coincide with those being expressed,” commented Shalters.
Among other members of the group, Ann Iverson said she went to express her belief in equality for all. Participant Sarah Smith said she was concerned about women’s rights and the rights of all Americans to be treated fairly and with respect.
Pastor Don Morgan’s support of the march was due to what he felt was a similarity of women’s rights to his own as an African-American.
“As an African-American man I feel that my justice and my rights are connected to women›s justice and rights and indeed all human rights, so I went to support women›s rights in an effort to support all human rights,” Morgan said.
Elizabeth Wearin said her participation was an effort to give voice to many issues that she felt may not be heard.
“I attended the Women’s March in Des Moines because I believe the voices of compassion, acceptance, generosity, professionalism, and science need to be heard and followed in Iowa,” Wearin advised.
Participant Martha Wenstrand took part in the march in an effort to give a voice to change.
“I attended the Women’s March in Des Moines due to my belief that I need to be a part of trying to affect change in this country to focus on the issues of equality for
all citizens, affordable health care, climate change, fair wages, quality education,” Wenstrand commented.
Shalters said that on the trip home, the group consensus was that they wanted to continue to be a part of the ongoing conversation and not stay complacent any longer.
“I realize each citizen has, or should have, our own personal concerns with one issue or another, but we need to have civil conversations in order to make progress,” Shalters stated.