Clarksville Woman Takes Stand at Women's March in D.C.

Less than 24 hours after Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, a massive crowd that organizers estimated included half a million people swelled in Washington, D.C.

Thousands of people from Maryland – a state that voted overwhelmingly last November for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton – were among those who flooded the streets during the Women's March on Washington. Participants said they were protesting Trump’s controversial comments toward women and minorities, his cabinet picks, his stance on climate change, his ties to Russia and their lists went on.

“I wouldn’t want him to be in the same room as my daughter, much less be my president,” said 47-year-old Noreen Welch, who came from Clarksville, to march with her daughter and niece.

Welch mentioned her mother, who worked as a computer programmer in the 1950s and wasn’t allowed to sit with the other professional staff because she was a woman. “I’m going to carry her memory with me as I march,” Welch said. “She paved the way for all of us.”

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Others who marched said they were doing so for family members, as well.

Mary O’Byrne, 60, traveled from Towson with her daughter in mind.

Havre de Grace resident Jean Johnson, 70, thought of her mother, a feminist who always got involved with her community.

Duane Kidwell, 69, of Silver Spring came to march thinking of her four granddaughters.

“I want them to grow up in a society where they’ll have equal rights,” Kidwell said.

Some Maryland lawmakers also marched Saturday, including House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Mechanicsville, Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin, Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Kensington, and former Gov. Martin O’Malley, who was also a Democratic candidate in the 2016 presidential election.

Cardin posted photos with women sporting pink hats and tweeted that he was proud of the Marylanders marching.

Clinton, who won the popular vote by about 3 million, also weighed in on the march via Twitter, where she wrote: “Thanks for standing, speaking & marching for our values @womensmarch. Important as ever. I truly believe we’re always Stronger Together.”

The number of people protesting overflowed the initial rally area, where speakers such as feminist icon Gloria Steinem and actress America Ferrera addressed the crowd.

Other highlights included a surprise musical performance by Madonna, whose colorful response to Trump’s inaugural address included sharp dig at the 45th president.

“Welcome to the revolution of love, to the rebellion, to our refusal as women to accept this new age of tyranny,” the pop star announced to the crowd. “Where not just women are in danger, but all marginalized people.”

Pinked-hatted women overtook the streets surrounding the National Mall, many chanting Clinton’s famous line that “women’s rights are human rights.”

For Melody Meyers, 19, this was her first political rally and she brought her 17-year-old sister along. “We care about reproductive rights of women and we don’t like Donald Trump,” Meyers said.

Barbara Gourdin, with about 150 others, traveled with Planned Parenthood of Maryland to the rally. Trump has threatened to defund the nonprofit organization, which provides women’s health care services, in addition to abortions, for many low-income women.

“In a democracy, you should have the ability to make your own choice. No one should tell you what you can and can’t do, especially about your reproductive rights,” said Gourdin, a Towson resident.

William Evans, who goes by “Rock” while working as a personal trainer and “Miss Toto” while dressing in drag about four times a week, is a 2014 University of Maryland graduate who flew from Miami for the march.

Miss Toto said she was offended that WhiteHouse.gov deleted the LGBT rights page after Trump’s inauguration. Despite the new president, Miss Toto said standing with the fellow marchers “feels amazing. I’m doing this to literally be on the National Mall in full drag. It’s so powerful.”

Michelle Peyton, 66, came from Havre de Grace, Maryland wearing a state-flag hat. Since the election, she said she often finds her husband sitting at home, screaming at the television over news regarding the Trump administration.

“I told him ... 'I’m tired of hearing you scream about it, I want to do something about it,'" she said, stating: "‘I’m going to the march.'"

— By Talia Richman and Ellie Silverman, Capital News Service

Still shot from Capital News Service video/YouTube.