Nashville Women’s March: Many start early with more than one day in mind

Andy Humbles
The Tennessean
Marchers gather during the Women's March at Public Square Park in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018.

More than 800 people got an early start toSaturday’s Nashville Women’s Marchwith a common belief an annual rally can’t be about one day.

The second Nashville Women’s March started the day with multiple workshops and lunch caucuses at Tennessee State University’s Avon Williams Campus prior to the afternoon march starting at 2 p.m., at Public Square Park leading to Bicentennial Mall. A number of booths to publicize different social issue organizations and local political candidates were also set up.

“The whole point is that you do something with this energy and this feeling – you find outlets for all of that anger or hopelessness you may have had after the inauguration last year or since the election really…” said Jenny Sheridan Pecoraro, 37, of South Nashville.

The march in Nashville is one of a number of marches in solidarity with the Women’s March in Washington D.C., held the same day and includes other marches and rallies held statewide and around the country.

Participants in Saturday's Nashville Women's March could attend workshops and browse booths with information about different organizations and local offices.

“Last year it was more of a spontaneous response to what is happening and I think this year people want to do something — with that momentum,” said Heather Ryan Sexton, 31, of Brentwood, who shared a booth with Sheridan Pecoraro publicizing Anti-Racist Conversations and Everyday Revolutionaries Tennessee.

Both were among several that marched in Washington D.C., last year, but elected to stay home this year.

“This year we’re going to make some actual plans and I’m really excited about that, I wanted to stay local for that part,” said Kathleen Dunn, 29, of Nashville, another who went to the nation’s capital last year.

There were a few workshops at last year’s inaugural Nashville Women’s March, but the focus was expanded this year. Topics included faith and spirituality, grassroots organizing, youth, legislative skills and issues and understanding elections. Workshops for both new political activists and those with more experience were scheduled.

“I think it’s important to know the reason why we do the things that we do and the efforts that we support and the initiatives of the community and what everybody believes in,” said Stephanie Phillips, 43, who came on a bus with others from Jackson, TN., for the workshops.  “Coming to the workshops gives you an insight into why we do what we do.”

Tickets for the conference ranged from $35-$110 with students costing $10. The march and rally are free.

“We have to train our people to be ready to take action in 2018,” said Darlene Leong Neal, the Women's March Tennessee director and Power Together TN organizer. “Voting is a baseline. The amount of folks who elect people to make laws is abysmal. Frightening.”

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.