Written on 4/6/2017

Millions of people protested outside of the White House not only to emphasize women’s contributions to society as a reaction against President Trump and what is perceived as a setback to equality.

Marie Richard, a 24-year-old social work major attended the march. She referred to the president’s past behavior, especially his interactions with women have put off a lot of people. “Before the election, he said many inappropriate things about women, especially the whole ‘grabbing them by the p***y’ comment. It’s gotten to the point where people can’t go out and be themselves”, she stated.

The subject of abortion has been brought to the forefront, considering that his choice of cabinet members and conservative stances on abortion, in which Planned Parenthood would be defunded, have many up in arms.

“I think Trump is all talk, I don’t think he’ll do anything as drastic as banning anything. He’s just doing it for attention, even if it means going about it in a stupid way, said 18-year old Physician’s Assistant major Jackie Galy.

Deo Khushnurayan, a 20-year-old Business major, expressed that the issue is complicated. “Going back to what Trump said, he believes that both parties should be blamed for abortion happening”.

Other students expressed their views on the topic. Paola Paulino, a 19-year-old Accounting major, said “Even though I personally wouldn’t support abortion, I don’t think it would be fair on other women who are not ready for a child”.

According to Galy if the plan to get rid of abortion comes to pass, women would be put in an even worse position, going as far as to take serious risks to get the procedure. “I’ve read many stories of women who suffered horrible consequences, like not being able to have kids or even going the extra mile all because abortion was made illegal”, she said.

“I believe that a woman has the right to choose, especially when it comes to her health and the doctor’s perspective as to what would be best for the woman. She also stated the government shouldn’t force women to have an abortion or strictly forbidding it, it should be the woman’s choice. Government interference would only hurt women.

Another topic that popped up is the issue of the pay wage gap, in which there is an inequality in pay wages between men and women, even if they work at the same jobs and contribute to an equal amount of work. Richard told her account of being dismissed by her superior after she asked them for a higher position.

“I have been a cashier for 2 years, and recently my boss hired someone with the promise of giving him better pay and a higher position. He got promoted in two months, I’ve been working there for two years and I’ve asked my boss if I could have a better position. I was told ‘no’”.

When asked why, she sated her superior usually gave her the run-around. “I would get excuses like ‘You need more experience’ or ‘You would be perfect for this other duty because you’re a woman, it’d be your thing”. She stated the experience made her feel she was not valued and that there is still much work to be done to achieve equality.

“No matter what someone’s race is, their gender, background or how they express themselves, you have no right to judge because you don’t know who they are, where they came or the circumstances that lead them to where they are. People should understand that”, Galy said.