This past weekend, January 21 and 22, Donald Trump was inaugurated, triggering protests across the country. The Women’s Rights March was heavily attended by women, men and children across the country who marched for what they believe are women’s rights in addition to various other human rights. Des Moines held its own women’s protest January 21. 

According to the Women’s March official website, its mission is standing together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families- recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country.

Each woman had their own reasons to march or not to march. Three women from Grand View University shared their reasons for their levels of participating in the marches. 

Photo Courtesy of Giselle Sancen Valero

Giselle Sancen Valero 

Giselle Valero is a sophomore at Grand View studying business administration and marketing. She participated in the march on Saturday and shared why she marched.

“We’re marching for fairness,” Valero. “We want justice for everybody.”

At first Valero wasn’t sure if she wanted to participate here in Des Moines, because she really wanted to go to Washington D.C. She marched here instead and had a great time. She commented on the many children and men there and was very happy about their presence. She believed the march was a good opportunity for children.

“If we teach our children as they grow up that love is love and everyone deserves to be treated equally and fairly,” Valero said.

As for men, she believes it is harder for a man to participate stating that they need to be centered in his morals and values, and realize that fighting alongside women is not a bad thing.

Dr. Amy Getty

Dr. Getty is an English professor at Grand View University. She participated in the march on Saturday as well and shared her views on why she marched.

Photo Courtesy of Giselle Sancen Valero

She believes in fighting not only for women’s rights but also human rights. She said she feels men should march not only for women but also themselves.

“It’s a men’s issue as well as a woman’s issue,” Getty said. “I would be offended if I was a man.”

She is referring to the fact that men are seen as incapable of doing simple household chores because that is ‘a woman’s job’.

Haley Kottra

Haley Kottra is a senior at Grand View studying Human Services, and is Vice President of the Inspired by Life club at Grand View. She did not march on Saturday for her own reasons. She is Pro Life and did not feel like she had the same views of the other women at the march.

Inspired By Life Officers | Photo Courtesy of Haley Kottra

“I don’t really think there are really any rights women don’t have that men have,” Kottra said.

While she feels like respect for women could increase, she also feels like the march is going about issues the wrong way. She is not anti-pro-women. She explains how she is still pro-life and pro-women.

“I think being pro-life is being pro-women, so I’m standing up for the rights of unborn women that their lives are being taken away by abortion,” Kottra said.