This special episode features the sounds and voices of the Women’s March in San Jose, California. Listen in to the energy and issues the men and women interviewed care about.

On January 21, 2017, Unraveling Pink headed to San Jose, to participate in one of many Women’s Marches throughout the world. To avoid traffic, I took the train. It was clear right away that I was not the only one heading to the march. Women and men wore pink hats. Many wore purple Women’s March Bay Area shirts. Rolled up posters abounded.

On the train, I found one of few remaining seats. The excitement was palpable and entirely positive. I saw couples, families, groups of friends, face painting (pink, of course!), smiling, laughing. I heard chants, singing, political discussions. A very different vibe than a typical Caltrain ride.

Once off the train, a map was unnecessary – I simply followed the crowd. It streamed further than I could see, filling the sidewalks, an ebb and flow between traffic lights. It was clear when we arrived at City Hall. We slowed to a stop, spilled out onto the street, until directed to both sides, but leaving a bus lane between us.

The diversity of the crowd was enchanting. Everyone was together, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability. It felt like a true melting pot and I never heard a negative word from the marchers.

It seemed like a good time to start talking to the marchers. I found people with fun hats, interesting signs, people who were singing, who were engaging in deep discussion, couples, families, friends. Not everyone wanted to go “on record,” but they were good-natured in declining. Those who were game gave their spontaneous responses, with little time to prepare — speaking from the heart. What struck me about each interview was the excitement and energy of the group being interviewed, against the backdrop of the other marchers.

This special episode is a handful of those impromptu interviews – of people who were passionate enough about issues to brave the possibility of rain, to be surrounded by thousands of others, to be a part of something bigger than themselves. I hope you come away from this episode energized and excited about our ability to effect change – whether unraveling pink bandanas, or something much, much bigger…

This episode’s favs are:

• @WomensMarch
• @WomensMarchBayArea
• @MenofWM

Looking to keep the Women’s March momentum going? Check out their 10 Actions / 100 Days website, find some male and female friends to join you, and continue the conversation.

Looking for other ways to get involved? Here are some resources to get you started:

• Pod Saves America: this podcast (available on iTunes) walks through the Administration’s decisions, impact, facts, next steps, and actions you can take
• Pod Saves the World: this podcast (available on iTunes) builds on Pod Saves America, but looks at foreign policy and the impacts of decisions our government is making
• The Resistance: this website is committed to peacefully opposing regressive government policies through activism and grassroots efforts and assists with messaging for groups who want to participate in a multitude of causes
• The Tech Resistance: this website for the tech community is committed to resisting the Trump Administration’s efforts to divide, to silence, to persecute and to oppress, by harnessing the tech communitys unique skills and resources behind efforts to promote truth, engage citizens, hold elected officials accountable, and push for justice
• 25 ways to get involved (whether you lean left or right)
• Pi Day tech protest
• Day Without A Woman strike (date TBD)
• Racial justice: This site has ways you can get involved as a racial ally.
• One Justice: This organization is focused on legal approaches, but they have a volunteer site where you can sign up to assist. For example, with the Immigration Order, they needed Farsi speakers, who needed not be lawyers, to assist the lawyers at the airports.
• Senator Phone List: phone numbers for every senator, in case you want to share your thoughts with them