On behalf of the Women’s March on Homer, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the women, men and children who made this march a peaceful, nonpartisan event. Six weeks ago, when we began organizing, our goal was 100 participants. On Sautuday, Jan. 21, we were astounded with an estimated 1,000 people who came to make their voices heard that women’s rights are human rights. Our march was truly an inclusive one, reflecting the diversity of our community. We all came together to speak loudly for liberty and justice for all.
The success of the peaceful march conveyed a sense of hope. Our community respected the guiding principles of the National Women’s March on Washington. We focused on important issues of women’s rights and social justice rather than on criticism of politicians or political parties. We would like to extend gratitude to the National Women’s March for supporting the sister marches around the country and the world. Special thanks go out to our state Women’s March on Alaska for their invaluable support in helping to make the Homer March happen. Kudos to the City of Homer and the Homer Police Department for the intersection crossings and traffic management so that the participants felt safe and proud.
On the local level, there are numerous unnamed folks who worked tirelessly, attending the planning meetings, making signs and donating art supplies, putting up flyers, offering parking spaces, baking cookies, working with different agencies who provided informational tables so that people could learn more about what is happening locally in regards to women’s rights, reproductive health, domestice violence and sexual assault, civil rights, constitutional rights, empowering youth, disability rights, peace actions and community and national action groups. There were also those who offered technological support, people who acted as peacekeepers during the march, businesses who closed so that their employees could participate and those who took each other’s hand as they marched along the sidewalk throughout town.
The listing below is not complete as there is not enough space to list all individuals who contributed to make this event positive and peaceful. You are in our hearts and your efforts are greatly appreciated. Thanks go to:
Carol Swartz for providing space at the Kachemak Bay Campus; Peggy Paver for use of the Homer Council on the Arts for sign making and the location of the start of the March; Chief of Police Mark Robl and the Homer Police Department for providing safety; Dan Garner with Homer Public Works for clearing and sanding the sidewalks for safety; Sharon and Carri at Two Sisters for their donation of cookies; Debi Bodett for creation of the Women’s Rights Are Human Rights banner; Don Pitcher for photography; Alan Parks for photography; Tara at ACLU for assistance; Homer Public Library for use of study and conference rooms; K Bay Caffe; Safeway; Save U More; Ulmer’s; Kachemak Bay Running Club for use of safety vests; Lazer Print for donating printing costs for our flyers; The Progressive Women’s Group for support; Lolita Brache and Jane Miles at Kachema Bay Campus for broadcast of the National Women’s March; Maureen Sullivan for inspiring the marchers with chanting; Linda Munns and Kevyn Jalone for creating the Facebook site; Judy Winn for heading the sign painting; Kiki Abrahamson for use of American and Alaska flags; Steve Delahanty for providing shuttle; all those who helped with local publicity; and all those who helped with parking, including the Pratt Museum, Homer City Hall, Kachemak Bay Campus, Todd Boling M. D., Red Rose Rentals Inc., Suzanne and Renee Alvarez, and Angie Newby.
Thank you Homer, for helping to create one of the largest global marches ever recorded. However, this is just the beginning. We need to keep this momentum moving forward. In the near future, we will be contacting all of you who signed up to take the next step. In the meantime, please continue to check out our Facebook page Women’s March on Homer Alaska for action steps that you can take now. We encourage you to build connections and work together on protecting our civil rights.
Gratefully,
Marjorie Ringer and Karen Murdock
Marjorie Ringer has lived in Homer since 1977. She is a past business owner and has raised her family here. Karen Murdock and her family have lived in Homer since 1979. Both write that they are proud to be members of this compassionate and caring community.
