#wmnyc2017

I shared these photos on our Twitter & Instagram yesterday, and I’m sharing them here with the full story as an in-under-the-wire Sunday-not-selfie-but-very-self-indulgent.

I wasn’t sure I could go to the march considering the unpredictable schedule and disposition of eight-week-old Star Baby, but I didn’t want to go alone, either. I wasn’t going to make a poster, until I realized the morning of that I had rainbow holographic poster letters and a basement full of cardboard, including some already spray painted (from this project). I was hoping to join up with the Women in Natural Science group from @amnhnyc, but we ended up getting to Grand Central Terminal way after they were scheduled to march. Nevertheless, I decided my signs would represent science - not necessarily the most pressing cause considering the violence and oppression faced by women (especially women of color, LGBTQIA women, and disabled women, for example) for their inherent identity, not just their profession, but still, science is something I can contribute.

“Science is Real” was inspired by They Might Be Giants, and apparently isn’t taken as a given by the people now in charge of our country despite it crucial importance for climate change, vaccinations, energy, education, and more. “Scientists Grab Back” is a nod to #astroSH, or the more visible discussion of harassment in the astronomy research community lead by some of my brave colleagues. Both sides of the sign garnered positive responses, even though I wasn’t as clever as fellow astronomer Dr. Aki Roberge who marched in DC!

And since this is a fashion blog, I’m wearing the Tarantula nebula scarf from @theslowfactory-blog and #ThatOtherShirt aka STEM: Women are all over It shirt, and a North Face galaxy jacket.

Thanks to my husband for taking the photos, Star Baby for sleeping soundly, and you, dear readers for listening to my story, I hope you all have a chance to make your own and share it with the Universe.

A Day in the Life of New York (9)

Now I’ve seen a few parades, marches, and big public gatherings over the years, but this was by far the largest. According to Mayor de Blasio’s Facebook page, over 400,000 people participated in the Women’s March on NYC. The organizers had figured on around 76,000 showing up, so it’s no surprise why all the barricades trying to keep everyone in the street were no match for the throngs. From my vantage point along 5th Avenue between 53rd and 55th Streets, the marchers not only filled the avenue, but also the sidewalks on either side until they were pressed against the stores and the churches. Remarkably, the whole advance was peaceful and still moving along when I left the area around 6:00. It first came toward me at 12:15. 

The march kicked off near Dag Hammarskjold Plaza on 2nd Avenue and 47th Street. Proceeding west along 42nd Street, the route veered north at 5th Avenue and funneled all the way up to 55th Street--a few blocks shy of Trump Tower. (The NYPD wouldn’t allow anything farther.) Amazingly, this was one of dozens of marches going on across the country at the same time. In an official statement posted at womensmarchnyc.com, the national organizers avowed that

The Women’s March on Washington [and elsewhere] will send a bold message to our new administration on their first day in office, and to the world, that women’s rights are human rights. We stand together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us.

And at thehumanfirstsoceity.org, chief coordinator of the march here in New York Katherine Siemionko declared 

Our mission is to provide a safe and accepting platform for supporters of equality to rally and march in promotion of civil rights for every human regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, religion or creed.

Now maybe you’re someone who thought the message of the march was diluted, didn’t agree with its mission, was angry the proceedings cost you money, was pissed that your business had to close for the day because of the crowds, hated the disruption of traffic, missed the march because you were working, or was finally getting over the depressing 2016 presidential election--trust me, I’m one of you--this much was true: you couldn’t deny the passion and creativity of the people involved. It was like a deluge from a spigot and, if you considered the surge coming at you for just a second, you were bound to be swept up in it too.

For me, all the signs and banners being brandished were the best. Here’s a few of the slogans that caught my eye:

Uteruses Before Duderuses In Congress

You’re So Vain, You Probably Think This March Is About You

City To Trump: “Drop Dead”

Who Runs The World? Girls!

Free Melania!

The Future Is Female

You Can’t Comb Over Racism

My Family Did Not Escape The Holocaust To Put Up With This Sh#t!

Pussies Grab Back

Nasty Women Get Sh#t Done

Ordinary Women With Reasonable Requests

Trickster, Racist, Unfit, Misogynist, Putin-puppet

And, of course,

We Are The Granddaughters Of The Witches You Weren’t Able To Burn

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