March for women; march for change

“Giving voice and visibility to all!” was the theme for Bozeman’s fourth annual Women’s March, held on Saturday, Jan. 18. The catchphrase that went along with this theme was, “We’re all in this together,” alluding to the huge array of marchers of varying races, ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientations filling the crowd — all present to support the centennial anniversary of women’s suffrage. The attendees ranged from children, to mothers, fathers, college students, grandparents, and out-of-towners. Gayle Nichols, a resident of Belgrade, shared her thoughts on the march, stating, “I think it is very important to make voices heard and to take a stand. I believe those marching are on the side of the angels.”

The group of adamant marchers met at Eighth Avenue and Babcock at 9:45 a.m., from there they marched to MSU’s campus from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and wrapped up the morning by listening to a handful of speakers in Ballroom A of the SUB from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jaxson Bishop, a sophomore studying science education, told the Exponent during the march that, “It has been such an amazing experience to witness a group of women and men exercise their First Amendment right to fight for a future that is better for all.”

As the SUB began to fill up with some rather chilly marchers, Chicks with Sticks, a Bozeman-based bucket drum group, filled the ballroom with quite a joyful noise. The group describes themselves as women who “... celebrate life's diversity in its many forms, and are active in supporting gay and lesbian issues, women's empowerment, and other social justice work.”

The event’s MC, Becca Frucht, appropriately opened the mini-lecture series by playing “Good as Hell” by Lizzo, a recently released pop song focusing on women empowerment.

One of the most influential speakers was Francine D. Spang-Willis of the Northern Cheyenne Nation. She spoke about the missing and murdered indigenous women and girls crisis, and she actively advocates for recognition and reconciliation of/with Montana’s Native tribes.

Another speaker, Sara Blessing, closed her speech by saying, “Today we show up for our daughters, mothers, sisters, friends, and our lovers.” This sentiment hit home for many in the crowd as we kick off the election year of 2020 thinking of all the women who fought over one hundred years ago for the rights we hold so dearly to today.