Handmaids in Action

Handmaids In Action  

by Deb

When this all began, it was just a few of us.
On March 8, International Women's Day, we arrived --
A handful of women, standing on the steps of the capitol, in the cold, in the wind.
We didn't know one another, but when we SAW each other --
Cloaked in red – wearing the same warning, the same promise, that we would not stay silent --
Well, eight months ago to the day, we became sisters.

We were scared. We were angry.
We didn’t plan to start a movement that day.
We didn’t know what we were doing.
But we each knew one thing: we couldn’t wait for someone ELSE to make a move.
It would have to be us. 
WE would be changemakers.

Those first few voices were quiet, but they carried hope.
Hope that we could build something stronger.
Hope that our courage would inspire others to step forward.

And they did.  My GOD, they did!
Look at all these incredibly brave, beautiful women!

One woman brought another.
One story became many stories.
One small action became a movement.

Mothers, daughters, teachers, students, neighbors, nurses — women from every walk of life — standing together, side by side, in the same red that says:

We will not bow. We will not be silenced.

And I want to say this: I am so grateful to every handmaid who has stepped forward.
To the women who brave the cold on the Capitol steps.
To those who dare to wear red, even when it feels dangerous, when it feels lonely.
Who stand calmly in defiance when their humanity is questioned.
To every woman who shares a story, holds a neighbor’s hand, or raises her voice in solidarity —

YOU are the reason we are standing here today. YOU are the reason this movement is alive.

We’ve grown – not because anyone gave us permission, but because we BELIEVE we can be better than we are.
Because we believe in community.  In solidarity.  In each other.
And we know that we are stronger together.

Since then, every “small” action you've taken –
Every corner protest and bridge brigade –
Every knowing nod to a sympathetic parade watcher in a small town –
Every solemn stance at the side of a domestic violence victim –
Every silent vigil outside of a crisis pregnancy center –
Every march against xenophobia, against genocide, against bigotry –
Every conversation with a neighbor, a friend, a stranger — it all mattered.
Every action, every story, every red cloak added to our movement.

THIS is what power looks like when it comes from the people.
THIS is what resistance looks like when it comes from women who refuse to be quiet, who refuse to accept injustice, who refuse to watch their neighbors suffer.

And we will KEEP growing.

Every cloak, every bonnet, every single flash of crimson in this crowd is a symbol – a flare of defiance against a system that would rather we stay silent, stay divided, and stay hungry – because hunger isn’t just an ache – it’s a weapon.  And they’re using it to keep us weak.

Each of YOU is part of this movement, whether you wear the “wings” or not.

The steps of the Capitol is where we began.
And here we are again – demanding action loudly now – demanding a return to RED:

R, for the Rule of Law.
E, for Equal protection under the law. And
D, for Due process for all.

Will we stay silent while our neighbors go hungry? 
Will we ignore those who cannot feed their children?
Will we pretend not to see the fear in the eyes of our neighbors?
Will we stand by while they are abducted by masked men?
Will we turn a blind eye to genocide? To white supremacy?
Will we overlook the damage to our mental health? To our kids’ mental health?
Will we look the other way while our voting rights are eroded away?
Will we ignore the growing authoritarian threat in Washington?
Will we succumb to fascism?

It’s time for us to choose.  It’s time for us to take action.
It’s time for #HandmaidsInAction.