On Jan. 21, 2017, 5 million people across all seven continents embraced their views as a feminist. Men, women and children of all ages, nationalities and religions took a stand for something that has been deliberately withheld throughout history: equality. Whether it be for an end of violence, reproductive rights, civil rights, or so many more, the people participating in more than 673 marches across the globe made it clear their desire for social change.  

But after protestors hung up their pink hats and silenced their chants, it has left many wondering, what comes next? Can one day really have that much effect? 

The reality, however, is that even nine months after, their pink hats were never taken off, their chants never silenced. Even before the Women’s March became the largest coordinated protest in U.S. history, feminists have long been pursuing equality, and will certainly continue that pursuit going forward.  

The fear now turns to the absence of a central issue. The march brought protests of women’s rights, immigration, climate control, racism, etc., which are all valid and important topics, but more broadly stated, a “resistance movement.” If people want to enact change on a social issue, it can be more successful to choose a topic they feel strongly about and fight for that to the strongest of their ability. That is not to say a person cannot feel strongly about all those topics; in fact most feminists do. But with Republican control in the Presidency, House and Senate, it is hard for those with liberal views to be embraced in Washington. Therefore, Women’s March participants cannot expect immediate change in agenda for all that they are fighting for. The movement itself is broad; a centralized issue can have more of an impact. 

How, though, can that be achieved? Feminism is the concept of social, political and economic equality of the sexes. How can all these categories be included in change? 

A wide range of groups promoting women’s rights capitalized on the momentum of the event in search for long-term progression. March organizers recognized this division within, and encouraged voters to sign up for organizations that most appealed to them. In order to be a full-service fight moving forward, the collation of feminism has to have people focused on issues they are interested in, people who will continually fight for what they feel passionate about under the large scope of feminism. This development will help build a relationship between protestors and voters to insure a continuous fight for rights, not only during election season. 

After marching, organizers quickly turned to channel that energy into something called H.E.R.S, or women’s health, economic security, representation, and safety. Throughout the coming years, this will be the center of the fight, as it is seen as the most pressing issues in a woman’s fight for equality. Here, we have the centralized issue.  

In addition to H.E.R.S, the Women’s March inspired the 10 collective global actions intended to keep the movement ongoing, not just for the fight for women’s rights in the U.S., but more internationally the fight for human rights all together. These global actions are in collaboration with 10 Actions in 100 days, a program looking towards more political presence from participants in order to further push their agenda after the march. 

With mid-term elections more than a year away, and primary elections close to three and a half, the most important thing to do now is to keep the energy and enthusiasm up. Having said so, many protestors who turned up on Jan. 21 were simply riding the wave and adrenaline from the inauguration. Although their presence was meaningful, march organizers are now counting on, more than ever before, the protesters who are going to make a difference now, even nine months after the march. Whether that be through constant communication with elected officials, establishment of more community based units and protests, or by engaging online with Global Organizers. 

“The extensiveness of support for the feminist cause helps to get our word out and spread our message,” Caroline Higney ’18, attendee of the Chicago Women’s March, said. “I continue fighting through change by making my voice heard, and I plan on participating in more marches in the future.” 

The Women’s march also became a stepping stone to other impactful protests such as the March for Science on Earth Day 2017, or the “day without women” demonstration on International Women’s Day 2017. With a clear cross section between other movements such as Black Lives Matter, the feminist movement has been effective in creating unity in the goal of equality for all, whether it be sex, race, or religion. 

Although the Women’s March had no direct and substantial effect on the fight for equality, its impact can be seen throughout the nation. The march alone has inspired a more unified fight for feminism. It has achieved the goal of bringing together a nation that was so obviously divided following the 2016 election. The fight for feminism did not start on January 21, but it did not end there either. With multiple upcoming marches and conventions, it is safe to say our nation will not settle. This is the next great social movement; a movement that, by itself, has the power to someday win political office. We, as Americans, have the power to do that.