2017 women’s march

MARCH AND RALLY ON THE CAPITAL | SAINT PAUL, MN

I was excited to support this event - not only as an official photojournalist to document the day, but also as a woman who felt the time had come when we must again join and speak up. 

Why did/do we march?  The fight for dignity and justice resides in all communities - especially in light of the rhetoric of the past election cycle which has insulted, demonized and threatened many of us. The Women's March is committed to ensuring that the voices of women from all backgrounds and identities are heard. In the spirit of democracy and honoring the champions of human rights, dignity, and justice who have come before us, we join to show our presence in numbers too great to ignore.  Through active recruitment and engagement of diverse groups and individuals, we seek to forge new alliances that will enable us to work together for equal justice in the months and years ahead.

The list of speakers for the Minnesota march included: 

  • U.S. Representative Betty McCollum

  • LT. Governor Tina Smith

  • MN Representative Peggy Flanagan

  • MN Representative Erin Murphy

  • MN Representative Erin May Quade

  • MN Senator Patricia Torres Ray

  • MN Senator Sandy Pappus 

  • MN Representative Ilhan Ohmar 

  • MN House Minority Leader Melissa Hortman

  • Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges

  • Nekima Levy Pounds (Faith Leader, Community Activist for the NAACP and Black Lives Matters)

  • Sarah Stoesz (CEO & President of Planned Parenthood Minnesota)

  • Ann Bancroft (author, teacher, and adventurer. She was the first woman to successfully finish a number of arduous expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic)

  • Raeisha Williams (African American Community Leader)

  • MN House Minority Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman

  • Trista Matascastillo (Three Branch Military Veteran, Founder of Women's Veterans Initiative & Sexual Assault Survivor)

  • Sandy Day, Native American Activiist

  • GiGi (Latina Immigrant fearing for immigration rights)

  • Linda Wilkinson (Gold Star Widow)

  • Nancy Norde Bence (Executive Director of Protection Minnesota)

  • Nancy Lyons (Rally Host)

Music and Entertainment included:

  • Ann Reed

  • Prairie Fire Lady Choir

  • K. Raydio

  • Soul Beautiful

  • Traiveon

  • Sara Thomsen

  • Tall Paul

  • Siama’s Afrobilly

  • Maria Isa

  • Chastity Brown

  • Paul Metsa

Official photographers included Christie Rachelle, Juliann Itter & Angela Whited.