Content
Skip to Main ContentAccessibility Help
Kitchener-Waterloo·Photos

Women's marches inspire participants, Fergus activist says

As they recover from the Women’s March on Washington, D.C., or a sister march or rally elsewhere, local women reflect on the day and what it meant to them.

'We’re neighbours and neighbours help each other out in times of trouble,' said Diane Ballantyne

Kate Bueckert · CBC News ·
Guelph women, including Liz Boyle (third from left) and her daughters, at the Women's March on Washington, D.C., on Saturday. (Liz Boyle)

Walking by herself to a rally in Guelph Saturday morning, Karen DelVecchio says she watched others with signs and pink hats and she felt a certain pride in what they were all about to do.

She chatted with some other women on the Eramosa Bridge, all heading to city hall for the rally that was held in solidarity with the Women's March on Washington, D.C.

She saw men, women and children make their way to the rally, and she felt the pull to be part of it. Outside city hall, she talked to more people, learned old protest songs and felt like she was among friends.

"It felt like a celebration of what we can do collectively," DelVecchio said of the rally.

"I'm so proud to be part of a community of women who speak up for what's right, sometimes in big ways at marches with signs, and sometimes just when they're walking down the street."

Sister rallies in other cities

A sister rally was also held in Kitchener. Another in Stratford saw about 100 people.

But some women chose to go further afield to state their thoughts on new U.S. President Donald Trump and his views on topics like Planned Parenthood and abortion.
University of Waterloo professor Aimé​e Morrison went to Seneca Falls, N.Y., a historic spot because it was where the first ever women's rights conference was held and said the event was great for those who attended and still made an impact.
Aimé​e Morrison attended the sister march in Seneca Falls, N.Y. (Aimee Morrison)

Wendy Rose of Kitchener went with her husband and six-year-old son to Toronto.

"The march was peaceful, respectful, powerful and inspiring," she said in an email, adding she saw many families out at the march.

"You just had a real sense of solidarity being a part of the crowd," she said.

"It gives me a little bit of hope for American society as I read the news of the Trump administration's behaviour over its first few days in office.  It also gives me hope for us in Canada as well, as women's issues still need to be pressed forward here in this country as well."

'Neighbours help each other out'

Diane Ballantyne of Fergus organized a group to go to the march in Washington, D.C., and said she was struck by the gratitude of American women.

"You came all that way?" Ballantyne said the women asked her.

"When we said, 'Well, of course. We're neighbours and neighbours help each other out in times of trouble,' there were tears from many, many people, and hugs," she said.

But while there were smiles and camaraderie, Ballantyne said they all remembered the reasons they were there.

"This wasn't a party. This was a really serious experience and the fear was really palpable," she said of talking to people, reading the signs and hearing the speeches.

Ballantyne said the experience will inspire people to continue expressing themselves.
Liz Boyle of Guelph holds up a sign she saw at the Women's March on Washington, D.C., on Saturday. (Liz Boyle)

"What it does is continue to fan the flames to fight for social justice when you go home in your own communities," she said.

Listen to Diane Ballantyne's full interview from Monday's The Morning Edition with host Craig Norris: 

CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices|About CBC News
Corrections and clarifications|Submit a news tip|

Related Stories