Reviews for Together we rise : the Women's March : behind the scenes at the protest heard round the world

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Moving photographs and essays celebrate a powerful protest.Hoping to revive the energy and commitment of the Women's March on Washington of Jan. 21, 2017, the organizers have compiled a profusely illustrated volume of interviews, commentary, and essays, documenting the complex process of making the event a reality and the impact of participating. After Donald Trump's election, one woman in Hawaii, feeling despondent and hopeless, posted an idea on Facebook: "I think we should march," she wrote, immediately gaining the attention of a few dozen friends. By the next morning, 10,000 women had signed on, and the number began to grow, with other groups in several cities making plans independently. Then a few experienced organizers jumped in as coordinators. Immediately, it generated controversy. Black women objected to the name, which recalled the 1997 Million Woman March, focused on "uniting and empowering women of color." The name was quickly changed, and inclusion became vital to planning and participation; soon the initial organizers learned the significance of terms such as "intersectional," "white privilege," and "racial justice." Devising the Women's March platform meant being sensitive to the concerns of Black Lives Matter and criminal justice reformers as well as those of immigrant, Native-American, LGBTQ, and disabled communities. Social justice activists, politicians, strategists, and diverse members of the arts community all contributed as planners under the auspices of the nonprofit Gathering for Justice, an organization started by Harry Belafonte. It soon became clear that the Women's March was igniting resistance throughout the world. More than 3 million people marched across the United States (1 million in Washington, D.C.) and 5 million worldwide. On the National Mall, organizers were stunned when they looked out over the massive crowd. Eloquent essays and comments by participants, including celebrities such as Ashley Judd, America Ferrara, Maxine Waters, and New Yorker editor David Remnick, speak to their deep emotional response to the march. Urging continued activism, the editors offer a list of organizations in which to get involved.An inspiring commemoration of a historic event. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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