Hundreds march for women’s rights

By Beth David, Editor

Hundreds of people took the cold streets of New Bedford this weekend to rally in support of women’s rights. The second annual weekend of women, included a women’s forum, a men’s forum, a film festival and other events to encourage women to speak up and fight for equality in their personal lives and in the world.

The march on Saturday began at Custom House Square and marched up Union Street to Pleasant Street, with speakers and entertainment on the steps of the library.

The crowd included politicians past and present, educators, furloughed government workers, students, activists, and people who just wanted to be counted.

Marches and rallies were held around the country, including Washington, DC, to advocate for the rights of women and all marginalized people in the US. 

In New Bedford, City Councilor Dana Rebeiro, emceed the event noting it “truly took a village” to hold the event, as she mentioned her co-organizers, Beth Fauteux and Ruth Chicca. 

Speakers included US Representa­tive Bill Keating, New Bedford Poet Laureate Patricia Gomes, and keynote speaker Dr. Kim Holland.

People literally danced their way up Union Street, with a dance troupe leading the way, and marchers showing off their own moves, too.

Showstoppers also entertained the group with a couple of numbers; a group performed a drumming piece; and Miss New Bedford sang the national anthem.

Carol Werronen said she was there to support gender equality, hence her sign: “The rise of women does not mean the fall of men.”

“I want to make the world a better place,” she said. 

People  have to get involved on a small level for things to rise to a greater level, she said. 

Allie Bosworth, Court Sousa, and Mia Sousa said they were there to show support for womens rights and the rights of LGBTQ people.

It was Mia’s first march, there with her aunt. 

“It’s good,” said Mia, saying she would go to another march. “It’s fun.”

“It’s a beautiful thing to see everyone come together,” said her aunt, Court Sousa. 

“It’s great to see a lot of people showed up,” said Ms. Bosworth, adding it was peaceful, and full of smiles.

Rep. Keating told the crowd that he was blessed to have strong women around him. He said his mother was a  “Rosie the Riveter” type, his wife stands up against workplace oppres­sion, and his daughter works to help child survivors of sexual assault.

He told the crowd that the House of Representatives was “our house,” and that the voters took it back in the last election. He spoke about the diversity of the new Congress, with its record number of women.

Rep. Keating went down a list of inequalities women face, including paying more for the same services, and said he will work to change it. The last election means there will now be accountability, he said, and criticized the government shutdown.

Government workers should not be used as “budgetary tools,” he said, and children should not be used as pawns at the border.

We march, he said not just for a new house and new senate, but for a new administration, and our “shared values,” walking “side by side, shoulder to shoulder, black, yellow, white, brown.”

He said next year, we will find more progress has been made because marches were being held all over the country. 

Organizer Beth Fauteux told the crowd that they marche because they want the new generation know we believe in them. We march, she said so that previous generations know that their work and sacrifice in the community will be fought for, always.

And she named some well known local activists, such as Lee Blake and  Marlene Pollock. 

And, she said, we march so our representatives will know that we are watching how they vote and who they support. 

Organizer Ruth Chicca recited the march values to the crowd: In all areas, ATMA and all March affiliates stand for equal rights, religious tolerance, freedom of the press, science, inclusiveness, social justice, economic freedom, and fundamental human decency.

Poet Laureate Patricia Gomes gave the crowd an uplifting message applauding “each and every one of us for the progress we made in 2018.”

She said they must continue to “move forward together.”

Ms. Gomes recited Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise,” with the crowd partici­pating by answering, “I rise” on cue.

Dana Rebeiro took a few minutes at the podium to note that the Black Panthers of the 1960s and 1970s were not just known for rioting and uprisings. They were the catalyst for school lunches, she said, because they fed students. They tested people for sickle cell anemia, and did other things to help the community. 

Ms. Rebeiro introduced keynote speaker, Dr. Kim Holland, as a woman who had come through adversity to get where she is. 

“Hello, Family,” started Dr. Holland.

She stopped, took a deep breath, and asked everyone to join her in simply breathing and taking in the moment.

“It is cold here,” she said.

She recalled that when she was in elementary school, the black students were not given homework because teachers said they might get peanut butter and jelly on the books. She said the Black Panthers fought for education, housing, full employment and health equity.

“We still want those things now,” said Dr. Holland. 

She said everyone should have the chance to live up to their maximum potential. 

She talked about the #metoo movement, that takes on the problem of sexual harassment and sexual assault of women. She said there are still many untold stories. 

Dr. Holland says she fights for equality in the world for the men in her life, too. 

“Let’s listen to each other,” said Dr. Holland.

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Click here to download the entire 1/24/19 issue: 01-24-19 WomensMarch