Trinity Students Joined Women’s March in Austin

Trinity University students Bridget Bey,
Sarah Collins (front, left to right)
and Kate Walls, Lavanya Hospeti
(back, left to right ) at the march.
Photos by Carlie McCrory

By Carlie McCrory

Several Trinity women joined over 35,000 others in Austin on Saturday in one of many marches around the nation and world advocating for women’s rights, one day after the inauguration of the president.

They gathered at the State Capitol at noon and made a one and half mile loop through Austin. After the march, the Trinity students, along with thousands of protesters, congregated below the Capitol steps to hear speeches from Texas Rep. Senfronia Thompson and former Sen. Wendy Davis, as well as performances of singer/songwriter Gina Chavez, and many others.

Lavanya Hospeti, a junior sociology major, drove more than 80 miles to Austin with five other Trinity women to join the march, organized to send the message that "women's rights are human rights." She was excited to be part of the cause. “We need to show support for [marginalized individuals] and not stand idly by as people’s freedoms get taken away.”

A variety of signs represented various reasons for marching. There were signs dissing Donald Trump, but many focused on other issues such as racism, climate change, and healthcare. There were signs in support of Planned Parenthood and the pro-choice movement, as well as pro-life ones.

Despite different causes, the unifying theme of the day was “hear our voice.” Trinity junior Claire Burrus found this to be very moving. “The chant that was repeated most throughout the day was ‘this is what democracy looks like,’” she said. “It was empowering to be in such a huge group of people fighting for the same common good.”

Protesters at the Women's March

Wendy Davis encouraged marchers to remain active in their community, “You should know, this march is just a warm-up,” a call that resonated well with Burrus. “I want to stay in active communication with my state Congress representatives, especially about women’s issues and environmental issues,” she said. “I encourage everyone to make their voices heard when they disagree with their representative’s choices”.

The event left Amanda Burris, a senior psychology major, in awe. “It is an amazing experience to be surrounded by empowered women,” she said.



Related event:

Trinity Diversity Connection will be hosting their first diversity dialogue of the semester tomorrow (Tuesday, Jan.24) at 7:30 pm in the Coates University center Waxahachie room. The discussion will be on how students can use their privilege to organize, act, and create change in their communities.​