After a brutal election cycle that left many women feeling demeaned and disrespected, a collective group of strong women leaders from around the country banned together to plan a march.
Not a march against the newly elected president, but a nonpartisan march aimed at advancing a women-friendly policy agenda, like expanding family leave, ending racial profiling and maintaining or broadening access to women’s health.
While some might think Oklahoma is too red for a women-friendly policy agenda to ever find a crowd, it did.
In fact, it found a massive audience. KFOR.com reported “roughly 12,000 people” participated in the Women’s March on Oklahoma at the state Capitol.
We at Chicken-Fried News have volunteered to run through the reasons for the enormous turnout in the name of equality.
No.1: Oklahoma ranks fourth in the nation for women killed by men.
No. 2: There is a wage gap in Oklahoma, women are paid 76 cents for every dollar paid to men.
No. 3: Oklahoma lawmakers assault women’s health and reproductive rights by proposing unconstitutional bills.
No. 4: Oklahoma has the second highest incarceration rate in the country.
No. 5: Women comprise 12.8 percent of Oklahoma legislators.
We think the point's been made. Now, let’s hear from marcher Jasmine Johnson.
“I think that it’s been too long for us to still be seen as an inferior race. I think that, with a lot that’s been happening, our rights are in jeopardy,” she told KFOR.com.
Strong statements were made by the Oklahoma marchers, who earned national coverage through The New York Times and PBS.
March on, Oklahoma.
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