Women’s fight for equal rights and treatment within society has been a continued struggle since the movement’s inception in the mid-1800s. Places like women’s colleges nurtured these ideas and sentiments which allowed women to get the right to vote and ensure their civil rights. Now, this battle has evolved into more multifaceted and complex issues that aren’t as obvious with a cursory glance. That’s why on January 19, many women in Fort Worth and around the country decided to participate in the annual Women’s March.

Fort Worth’s march was organized by the Tarrant County Democratic Women’s Club. There were several speeches by representatives from Planned Parenthood, Moms Demand Action, and the Democratic Committee of North Texas. Planned Parenthood and Moms Demand Action also had tables, signs, buttons, and stickers to promote their causes.

With the exception of counter protesters standing on a Planned Parenthood table, the event went smoothly with the march taking place over a span of a few city blocks.Janie Bradford ‘21 came with the Feminist Club to take part in the event and was approached by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram to share the reasons why she marched.

“I think a lot of people think that the Women’s March doesn’t matter anymore…but the truth is women still haven’t gotten equal rights, especially at the intersections like minorities and races and sexualities,” Bradford said. “So I think it’s still important, especially as a white woman, to fight for other people that maybe don’t have a strong voice in society.”

In the upcoming school year, Bradford hopes the club will continue to expand and become more intersectional and grow intellectually.

Vanessa Silva ‘20, the president of the Feminist Club, echoed these ideas of why she decided to march that day. The Feminist Club is a safe space for members to discuss intersectional feminism while sharing their different thoughts and experiences and getting to know the other club members.

“If you’re in a classroom and some topic comes up and you think you’re the only person that thinks that way in a classroom, it’s really nice to be able to look over and see that somebody else is thinking the same thing across the room,” Silva said.

As Silva closes her last year, she wants to make it clear that advocating for women’s rights is not downplaying men’s rights, but rather women need extra attention because of the discrimination they receive.

“I love seeing the seniors creating a safe space for the younger girls and how much they care about each other and what is happening in the world today. I’m just in awe of the vision of my students and I am excited to be a part of it,” Christy Alvear, US Science teacher and faculty sponsor of the Feminist Club, said.

If you’re interested in taking part in these conversations, talk to Mrs. Alvear when school is back in session  join the Feminist Club’s meeting on Fridays during announcements where members discuss feminism as it arises in different parts of our society, or if you want to take part in storytime with Mrs. Alvear.