A reflection from Jess Myers, Women’s Center director 

Last weekend, I finally decided I would go to the Women’s March on Washington.

I’ve been to marches in the past. I drove 18 hours from Baltimore to Ft. Benning, Georgia in my early 20s for the School of Americas protest with a van load of Mercy nuns and my best friend. Attending college in Washington, D.C. during the immediate aftermath of 9/11 and the start of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars had me popping on the Metro often enough to join an anti-war rally. My favorite Pride parades have been the ones I’ve walked in rather than watched from the sidelines. In Baltimore, I’ve marched for justice, for Trayvon Martin and Freddie Gray, for Black Lives.

But, never have I marched for and with women for a platform dedicated to women’s rights.

A few weeks ago, I was in a room with several UMBC faculty members as they recalled their memories of past women’s marches. As they shared their experiences, it was evident that being in a space with thousands of other women advocating for women’s rights was a powerful moment for them. While each of the individuals who shared their stories have committed their lives to activism and feminism, those marches still held a unique and powerful place in their hearts. In fact, what was particularly striking was how they spoke about their experiences in relationship to those who were with them – their mothers, their daughters, their friends.

I want to be in relationship with other women and I’ve decided that going to this Saturday’s march is just one way I can do that. I recognize that it’s a privilege to put aside my reservations about going (really, for anyone going to the march, please read this important blog by Brittany Oliver and the other resources she’s provided at the end of her post) and I will continue to sift through the messiness and be in conversations with others about what I can do to always do better by paying attention to and learning from others.

Just as importantly, I want the momentum and energy to continue after the march, especially for those who are new to the movement, new to activism, new to seeing things that are unfair and unjust. I want us to stay loud. To stay critical. To stay visible and demand what is right, what is necessary. I want you to volunteer. I want you to keep learning and growing. I want you to find your activism (if you haven’t already) and make a difference. I want all those things for myself as well.

I want to be on a journey with others who are dedicated to ending gender inequality and living the values of social justice. The march will be a moment in time and I’m so glad I have a space like the Women’s Center to welcome others to join me once Saturday is over.

Three years ago this month, the Women’s Center unveiled a new logo – the Wye Oak Tree. This logo was intended to better represent our mission, values, and priorities, which are similar to that of the vision and principles of the Women’s March on Washington. In sharing our mission, I hope it serves as a reminder to you that the Women’s Center at UMBC works daily to advocate for and advance the rights of women and marginalized people. You are invited to join us in our work today and every day.

The Women’s Center at UMBC advances gender equity from an intersectional feminist perspective through co-curricular programming, support services, and advocacy for marginalized individuals and communities. We prioritize critical social justice as our community value, with a deliberate focus on women, gender, anti-racism, and feminism.

All are welcome as long as they respect women. Their experiences. Their stories. Their potential.

Whether you march or not, on this day and every day, in and through the work the Women’s Center does, we support you, we believe you, we see you.

Our Guiding Principles

• We will encourage authentic dialogues among students, faculty, and staff to facilitate consciousness-raising, transformative learning, and self-determination.
• We will embody our commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and social justice in our operation, staffing, and programming.
• We will operate from a holistic and non-hierarchical anti-violence framework.
• We will challenge the barriers that reinforce inequity and oppression impacting our university and broader communities.
• We will cultivate women’s empowerment, involvement, and leadership in all aspects of university life.

And don’t forget:
If you’re going to the march, be sure to register!
Check out these recent podcasts from Stuff Mom Never Told You and Call Your Girlfriend for more on the history of women’s marches and details about this Saturday’s march organizers.
Stop by the Women’s Center this Friday from 11am-2pm to rally together and be in community and conversation with others – plus make a rally sign (while supplies last).

Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in the Baltimore area

Parades, performances and more in Baltimore for the 2016 Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.

Film screening: 'Sisters of Selma': As part of the "Keeping the Dream Alive - a celebration of the life of Martin Luther King Jr." observation, St. Ignatius Church will present the documentary "Sisters of Selma: Bearing Witness for Change." Serving as facilitator for the film and the following discussion will be Sister Gwynette Proctor. 7 p.m. Jan. 15. 740 N. Calvert St. Free. 410-727-3848 or st-ignatius.net.

Celebrating the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: The Pratt Library's annual King Commemorative Lecture is presented by DeWayne Wickham, the founding dean of the School of Global Journalism & Communication and distinguished professor of journalism at Morgan State University with nearly four decades experience as a journalist. 2 p.m. Jan. 16. Enoch Pratt Library, Waverly Branch, 400 E. 33rd St. Free. 410-396-603 or prattlibrary.org.

Fired Up: The Concert: Featuring performances from Shades of Yale as well as speakers evoking the power and spirit of Martin Luther King's words. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Jan. 16. The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum, 1601 E. North Ave. $5-$10. 410-563-3404 or greatblacksinwax.org.

D.I.V.A.S. For Dr. King: An annual concert honoring local women for community service, in honor of the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. 3 p.m. Jan. 17. Triumph Community Church, 425 W. Monument St. Free. 410-728-0112 or triumphcommunitychurch.org.

MLK Jr. Day Breakfast: Civil Wrongs to Civil Rights and Back Again will include a traditional breakfast with a guest speaker, a performance by Brenda Tucker and a self-guided museum tour. 9 a.m. Jan. 18. The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum, 1601 E. North Ave. $20-$25. 443-563-3404 or greatblacksinwax.org.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration: The American Visionary Art Museum offers a day of guided tours, birthday cake, music, workshops and special performances. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 18. 800 Key Highway. Free. 410-244-1900 or avam.org.

MLK Day at the Museum: Featuring a reading of Jeff Stetson's play "The Meeting," about Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., presented by Evolutionary Art Works. A Q&A follows with the director, as well as an afternoon of film screenings related to King and the civil rights movement. The galleries will also be open. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 18. Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. $5. 443-263-1800 or lewismuseum.org.

Songs of Freedom: Honoring Dr. King through Songs of Human and Civil Rights: Includes projects/displays, a performance from the Florence Bain Senior Center Gospel Choir. young vocalists and an interactive music workshop from musician Scott Paynter, who will teach and perform freedom-based songs from Bob Marley, John Lennon, Peter Tosh and more. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 18. Roger Carter Center, 3000 Milltowne Drive, Ellicott City. Free. 410-480-3250 or hchsmd.org/events.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade: Baltimore honors the life of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. with regional marching bands, color guards, steppers, equestrian units, dance squads, civic organizations, and floats. The parade steps off at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Eutaw Street, continuing south on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.  Sonja Sohn of 'The Wire,' Ravens' Justin Forsett to be MLK parade grand marshals.  Noon Jan. 18. Free. 410-752-8632 or promotionandarts.org.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade: The parade will proceed through Annapolis' downtown area, beginning on Amos Garrett Boulevard, making a right turn on West Street, proceeding around Church Circle, then down Main Street, turning left on Randall Street, and ending at the Market House. Noon Jan. 18. Free. annapolis.gov.  

2016 Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation: Claudia Rankine, a Jamaican-born award-winning author and poet, will speak at Loyola University Maryland's annual convocation. 5 p.m. Jan. 18. McGuire Hall, Loyola University Maryland, 4501 N. Charles St. Free. 410-617-2000 or loyola.edu/joinus/mlkconvocation.aspx.