Youth-led Chicago women’s rally gathers a warm reception despite snow and frigid cold

Young girls at women's rally
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)

By Ariana Puzzo
Medill Reports

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.”

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)