The things I carried at the Women’s March on Washington, and what each represented:
Red beaded necklaces are from Nigeria. A friend who lived there for a while gave them to me. These beads symbolize royalty and in some cases, ethnic patriotism. This is in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Storyteller pendant from vendor at Davis Farmers’ Market, Davis, CA. It features a handmade bead of a woman’s face, a key, dice and a heart. This is for my friends who are writers and artists.
Pink bracelet was made by my niece (technically she’s my cousin’s daughter, but she calls me Aunt Cori, which I love). This is for her and all the girls I know and love.
Brown cord bracelet with red bead was purchased at Gregory Colbert’s Ashes and Snow exhibit in Santa Monica, CA. This is for wildlife conservation and the arts.
The ring on the left is a sterling silver band made of 3 interlocking rings, held together by clasped hands. My mother bought it in Williamsburg in the 1970s. This is for her.
The ring on the right is a sterling silver ring engraved with the letter C. My aunt Nancy gave it to me when I was a little kid, and I’m still able to wear it. This is for her.
The pins on my cap:
The pin of the woman is a depiction of Peggy Olson, a character from AMC’s drama “Mad Men,” in one of the final scenes from the series. This pin is showing a scene in which Peggy (played by actress Elisabeth Moss) walks into her new job as an empowered woman, smoking a cigarette, carrying a painting of an octopus pleasuring a lady that once belonged to a partner at her old ad agency under her arm. This is for all the women who paved the way for my generation and generations to come. It’s also for my dear friend Kim, who loves this show as much as I do and we watched the final season together.
The angel pin was a gift from my mother. She died in 2009 and while I’m glad she is not here to see what has become of the state of the union, I do think of her as a guiding force in my life. This, too, is for her.
The American flag pin is because I still believe in this country. I believe in the First Amendment, even if it means people espouse ideas I disagree with. I believe in everyone’s right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I believe we will get through troubling times if we keep our elected officials accountable and continue to speak up for justice for all.
