Youth-led Chicago women’s rally gathers a warm reception despite snow and frigid cold
Dalia, 4, and Lila, 7, attend Young Women’s March Rally 2019 at the Chicago Federal Center Plaza with their father. They listened to GCE Lab School freshman Cora Haworth, a resident of the North West Side. (Ariana Puzzo/Medill)
More than 1,100 Facebook users responded to Jazmine Cruz’s call to march for gender equality Saturday despite the absence of a Women’s March in Chicago this year. Some 300 people showed up for the rally that also focused on human rights, health care, social justice, and empowering women and girls.
Cruz, 19, said her disappointment that Women’s March Chicago was cancelled led her to organize the Young Women’s March Rally 2019 at the Chicago Federal Center Plaza so that young people could speak about equality. Cruz said she did not expect the turnout, but hopes it “shows Chicago’s diversity and inclusivity.”
“I do want this to inspire other young women and girls and activists to make their own rallies, to become activists themselves,” said Cruz, a freshman at Roosevelt University in Chicago. “I think it’s important that the next generation of girls are empowered and inspired and are able to make noise and make change.”
Roosevelt University freshman Jazmine Cruz, 19, addresses those in attendance for Young Women’s March Rally 2019. “We are here to support the next generation of women and girls,” Cruz said. “We are here to empower each other. Chicago will have a voice today. We are being heard globally, we are being heard nationally; you are not powerless.” (Ariana Puzzo/Medill)
The crowd continues to grow on Saturday at the Chicago Federal Center Plaza despite snow. “You are not powerless, everybody’s voice has power, everyone here is dynamic and capable of producing the change they want to see in the world,” said Cruz, who organized the event. (Ariana Puzzo/Medill)
Women’s rights advocates gather at 10 a.m. at the Chicago Federal Center Plaza despite snow. Waukegan resident Jenna Daniels, 26, at right, attended the rally to address issues she considers important, including climate change, quality public schools, being an LGBTQ ally, and affordable health care. “[The rally] is a great chance for women to come together and be united by interests that concern us and just remind everyone that we’re powerful and we’re here to stand for what we believe in,” Daniels said. (Ariana Puzzo/Medill)
Morton College students Liliana Avitia, 18, and Angela Hernandez, 18, wait for the rally to begin on Saturday at Chicago Federal Center Plaza. (Ariana Puzzo/Medill)
GCE Lab School freshman Cora Haworth speaks to the crowd on Saturday at Chicago Federal Center Plaza. “The Women’s March exists to fight bigotry and discrimination,” Haworth said. “It is committed to lifting up the voices of women who are often left out and is committed to ensuring access to dedicated health care services for women” and those with disabilities. (Ariana Puzzo/Medill)
Harold Washington College student Kyrsten Bilkey, 20, speaks about her goals to teach social justice “to get the next generation to know how to use their power and voice in a non-violent way.” Bilkey is a canvasser for Greenpeace and talks to Chicagoans daily about environmental issues that “the government and corporations hide from us every single day.” (Ariana Puzzo/Medill)
Vassar College student Sydney Leidig, 19, attends Young Women’s March Rally 2019 while home for winter break. (Ariana Puzzo/Medill)
River Forest resident Anja Herrman, 12 – the youngest speaker – greets the crowd with, “Hello, Chicago!” Herrman told the crowd to put whatever else was on their minds aside and focus on the issue that each person could address, including seeing past others’ disabilities. “At my school, whenever I try to interact with the ‘popular kids,’ they look right past me,” Herrman said. “All they see is my disability and they aren’t interested in including me. Thankfully, though, I do have a bunch of friends – shout out to them – who truly value me as a person.” (Ariana Puzzo/Medill)
Western Michigan resident Izzie Murk, 19, attends the rally to acknowledge that human rights “are being taken away” and the rights of all people are not seen as equally important. “I think it’s awesome [that young people are leading the rally] because it really shows what our generation can do and how our generation is educated on subjects and … will do the work to gain power in our country,” Murk said. (Ariana Puzzo/Medill)
Hyde Park resident Clara Mendoza, 24, listens to multiple speakers on Saturday at the Young Women’s March Rally 2019. Women’s March Chicago did not host an official march this year, citing high costs but “following accusations of anti-Semitism” within the national Women’s March leadership, the Chicago Tribune reported. (Ariana Puzzo/Medill)
Women’s rights supporters march around Chicago Federal Center Plaza on Saturday after speeches from advocates. The crowd joined in chants, including: “Tell me what democracy looks like, this is what democracy looks like” and “My body, my choice.” (Ariana Puzzo/Medill)
The final Facebook event page showed that more than 300 people planned to attend. Those in attendance were largely unbothered by the snow and said they never intended to stay home.
“A little snow? We’re Chicago. It can’t kill us,” said Kelly McElligott, 44.
Photo at top: Dalia, 4, and Lila, 7, attend Young Women’s March Rally 2019 at the Chicago Federal Center Plaza with their father. They listened to GCE Lab School freshman Cora Haworth, a resident of the North West Side. (Ariana Puzzo/Medill)
