A little winter couldn’t keep a large crowd from taking part in the second annual Women’s March held in Grand Marais last Saturday. The march through town was followed by songs and speeches given at Grand Marais Harbor Park with themes ranging from equal pay for equal work, a call for more political activism among women, disdain for President Trump and his administration’s policies toward women, and the MeToo movement, to name a few topics mentioned on Saturday.
In a microcosm of events that took place throughout the country and throughout the world on Saturday, January 20, at least 190 people took to the snow melt streets of Grand Marais, many carrying signs and banners, and joined symbolically with millions of other women and men who were holding similar marches for women’s rights throughout the small towns and cities of many places in the world.
The march began at 1 p.m. in Grand Marais Harbor Park and ended at Grand Marais Harbor Park where Denny FitzPatrick asked for those who wanted to speak to come forward. After a short welcoming speech by Grand Marais Mayor Jay Arrowsmith-DeCoux, about one dozen women took the microphone to express their hopes and dreams for future positive changes in the country.
Berta Bauer, who helped plan this event last year, read the Declaration of Independence and also read from John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech. Part of President Kennedy’s speech she read is as follows: “We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans—born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage—and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.”
Holding a sign that said, “I believe you” Denny FitzPatrick listens as Cook County Violence Prevention Center Director Jodi Yuhasey speaks to the importance of believing women who have come forward with their stories of domestic or sexual abuse.
Judy Barsness talked about the gains women have made over the years. Then she cited losses of some of those rights that occurred over the last year and added, “There will always be forces out there who want to tear down what we have. We must continue to persist… for your children and my children…long after I am gone.”
With more than a little passion, Pastor Mary Ellen Ashcroft said it was time to stop trivializing women who come forward with concerns or complaints of abuse. She cited Rosa Parks, who wouldn’t sit in the blacks-only section at the back of the public transportation bus, and who was and remained part of the movement for black rights, and Anita Hill, who testified against Clarence Thomas who was nominated to the Supreme Court despite her protests of being sexually harassed. She read a quote from Martin Luther King, “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward a goal of justice requires sacrifices, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”
Walking two-by-two or three-by-three, many wielding signs, women, men and children took up more than one block of downtown Grand Marais in their peaceful march for Women’s Rights last Saturday, January 20.
Jodi Yuhasey, director of the Cook County Violence Prevention Center, asked people not to be a bystander but an “up stander” to always listen, to believe what is being said and support the women who come forward with their story of mistreatment and exploitation. She asked for people to think of the three C’s: caring, compassion and collaboration, when confronted by someone who was hurt and needed help. And, Yuhasey asked for everyone to work together on women’s rights and equality.
FitzPatrick followed Yuhasey, adding that in 2017 the Violence Prevention Center treated 129 individuals who had been abused and placed 12 adults and four children in safe houses.
Some speakers called for women to get more involved with politics, to make sure to vote and make their voices heard on policies concerning women. Dr. Jenny Delfs said the “MeToo” movement had opened the door for women to come forward and talk to her about the ways they had been abused in the past without feeling shame.
Inger Andress, president of Kai- Zen Solutions, has been involved for several years in the county with preventing the sexual exploitation of youth.
Andress talked about the Safe Harbor Laws and the need to continue working to stop sexual exploitation of children.
The enforcement of the Safe Harbor Laws includes the definition of “minor commercial sexual exploitation,” which according to the sheriff is the most commonly seen in Cook County. The crime happens when someone under the age of 18 is brought into a scenario where anything of value (e.g., money, drugs food, shelter, rent or higher status) is given to a person by any means in exchange for any type of sexual activity… a third party may or may not be involved.
Sue Hakes, campaign manager for Leah Phifer, a 32-year-old former FBI agent from Two Harbors mounting a campaign seeking the Democratic nomination for Rick Nolan’s 7th District congressional seat, asked for the audience support for Phifer.
Hakes cited the latest cover of Time magazine, which shows Phifer in a crowd of 33 other women who are running for national office.
Time Magazine’s cover said it all, The Avengers, first they marched; now they are running.
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