The Women’s March Sent a Message: It’s Only Forward From Here

It was January 20, 2017, after a divisive election and with threats against women’s rights, thousands of women, men, and children pulsed with energy as they began marching on Independence Avenue in Washington, D.C. They flooded the surrounding avenues, their voices rising in unison, their numbers greater than any other gathering for civil rights. The Women’s March had become more than a protest; it was a clarion call for equality, justice, and representation. Emiliana Guereca, the president and founder of the Women’s March Foundation, stood among the sea of faces, recognizing that this was just the beginning.

As the echoes of the chants faded, Guereca faced a stark reality: the fight for women’s rights was far from over. “People think, ‘Oh, you marched. That’s it. We’re going to be okay now.’ But there are so many more issues at hand,” she reflects. The march ignited a movement, but sustaining that momentum required more than annual gatherings – it demanded continuous advocacy and tangible action.

Determined to transform the surge of activism into lasting change, the Women’s March Foundation was created to tackle critical issues like reproductive rights, equal pay, and childcare and to ensure that the conversations sparked in 2017 evolved into policies and protections. The Foundation strives to continue the movement’s work on a number of fronts – through initiatives, advocacy, and the support of women political candidates, and the dissemination of gender equity information. 

Their Feminist Street Initiative sets out to reshape the very map of our cities by working to name streets after influential women – like Sojourner Truth and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It’s an initiative designed to make women’s contributions visible in the fabric of everyday life. “If girls see themselves in leadership and power,” Guereca explains, “then we’ve done our job.”

Understanding the digital realm as a new frontier for informational activism, the Foundation launched the Digital Divas program. This network of over 300 volunteers combats misinformation and misogyny online, ensuring that truth and equality have a steadfast voice in social media. These digital warriors engage in fact-checking and promote accurate narratives, recognizing that the battle for women’s rights also takes place on screens and in comment sections.

By hosting congressional coffees and educational seminars, the Foundation encourages women to run for office and supports them throughout their campaigns. “It takes a woman being asked at least seven times to decide to run for office,” Guereca notes. “If you’re not at the table, you’re most likely on the menu.” Their goal is not just to increase voter registration but to reshape the political landscape with leaders who champion gender justice.

Now, the Women’s March Foundation is embarking on its most ambitious project yet: establishing a Women’s Building in Los Angeles. This hub will serve as a permanent space for organizing, advocacy, and empowerment – a place where the next generation of female leaders can gather, learn, and launch initiatives that will shape the future. 

“We’ve been sidelined and invisibilized in far too many areas of society,” Guereca declares. “We’re here to demand and ensure visibility for women and to forge powerful pathways
for advocacy.”