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The crowd gathers in the snow on Woodstock Square for the 2020 McHenry County Women's March/Women Rising. Carol Hamlin Faure photo.
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Once
again despite terrible weather across
much of the county the Women’s March in Washington and sister
marches across the nation displayed renewed
dedication and commitment as
tens of thousands took to the streets.
Predictably, the national media were
largely bored and dismissive blaming reduced crowds to a
movement that is petering out and running out of steam instead of the
weather. It is no longer the latest shiny thing for them and they
have impeachment drama, Trump blathering, and the Prince Harry and Meghan soap opera to keep them occupied. But feminist
activists are not alone—earthquake ravaged
Puerto Rico and armed neo-Nazi
marchers in Richmond, Virginia also
got the short shift.
Over
25,000 people signed up online to
attend the D.C. march and even more showed up.
Other big city marches including New
York and Chicago posted similar
results.
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2020 Women's March in Washington, D.C.
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With
the theme Women Rising the marches emphasized grass roots activism and recognition
of intersectionality in key
areas—reproductive rights and health care access; anti-violence including domestic abuse, sexual assault, hate crimes,
police violence against racial, ethnic, LGBTQ minorities; immigration
rights, and end to mass detentions and family separations with a clear path to citizenship; urgent climate change and eco-justice issued; and civil rights and liberties for all including opposition to voter suppression and in favor of voting rights.
In
Chicago march organizers eschewed the usual rally and speeches instead
departing a Grant Park staging area directly
for a parade to the Federal Plaza led
by marchers with disabilities. Top female office holders including Mayor
Lori Lightfoot, Illinois Lt. Gov.
Juliana Stratton, Cook County
State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, Cook
County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Illinois Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford marched with the
rank and file.
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| Women's March 2020 in Chicago. Photo by Luke H. Duong. |
Here
in McHenry County, Illinois more
than 250 turned out in the aftermath of a serious snow storm followed by freezing
rain for a rally and march on Woodstock Square sponsored by Women’s March McHenry County and the McHenry County NOW Chapter with the
support of other organizations including the AAUW (American Association
of University Women), McHenry County
Democrats, McHenry County Progressives, Medicare for All, and the National Immigration Justice Center.
Ruth Scifo, chair of
Women’s March McHenry County and other speakers emphasized the centennial celebration of the adoption of the 19th Amendment securing women’s right to vote. She noted
that win came only after 80 years of activism and the sacrifices of suffragists who
were often jailed and abused and also cited the battle of second wave feminists in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s for equal pay and opportunities and to win passage of the
Equal Rights Amendment. This generation, she said, must honor the
sacrifices of their grandmothers and
mothers with an equal commitment to preserving and extending those gains in the face of Trumpism and reactionary
backlash.
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McHenry County Democratic Party Chair Kristine Zahoic with McHenry County March co-chair and program host Ruth Scifo.
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Other
speakers included Mayor Brian Sager of
Woodstock who is also a Democratic candidate for 63rd Illinois House of Representatives,
Representative Sean Casten of the 6th Congressional District, county and state leaders of the National Organization for Women, Meredith Sarkees
of the AAUW, and Amanda Garcia of
the National Immigration Justice Center who also provide legal services to immigration
detainees in McHenry County Jail in
co-operation with the Interfaith
Community for Detained Immigrants (ICDI).
Representative Lauren Underwood (D-14) was slated to speak but road
conditions made it impossible for her to arrive on time from another Women’s
March event. The multi-hatted Kristina
Zahoric who is McHenry County
Democratic Party chair, Chair of the Illinois Democratic County Chair
Organization, and 14th Congressional
District Chair for the Illinois Democratic Party ably pitch hit for Lauren.
Cassandra Vohs-Demann, Director of the Woodstock Community Choir and the Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist
Congregation Choir, roused and inspired the crowd with a great original song written expressly for the
occasion.
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The view from the Woodstock Square Gazebo stage--the crowd spread out along sidewalks around the Square.
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Other
political official and candidates were on hand but did not
speak including Democrat Paula Yensen,
District 5 County Board member; District 2 County Board member and candidate
for Illinois House District 66; Jeanie Ridings, candidate for Circuit Court Judge, 3rd Judicial Sub-District; Peter Janko, candidate for Illinois House District 63 and a leader
of the McHenry County Medicare for All
campaign; and incumbent Republican
McHenry County Regional Superintendent of Schools who is running for re-election and facing a push from County Board Chair Jack Franks to have
her office eliminated.
After
an hour long program, participants were eager to begin a one lap march around the Square in high spirits and at a brisk
pace. Everyone went home energized and
ready for an intense year of activism ahead.
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Tree of Life UU Congregation was well represented with at least 22 members and friends in attendance in Woodstock. Our Side with Love banner was a rally point as the crowd gathered early. Seen are Judy Stettner, Dr. Lisa Messinger, Sandy Eckert, and the Old Man. Member Paula Yensen, County Board District 5 member in her bright red coat and hat and votes for women sash was busy with arrangements on stage and our Choir Director Casandra Vohs-Demann roused the crowd with an original song.
Ruth Scifo at the rally microphone.
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Ever busy Missy Funk, a leader of the McHenry County Progressives and Woodstock Pride, marched with the Medicare for All contingent.
 
The head of the march passes the historic Old McHenry County Courthouse in Woodstock. Event co-chair Catherin Johnson at right
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