Every year, March 8 marks International Women’s Day, a holiday dedicated to honoring women’s achievements and progress toward gender equality. Yet, for many, this year’s observance felt different, as a heavy sense of urgency permeated the air. With restrictive policies under the new administration threatening to reverse hard-won gains, the specter of setbacks loomed large, igniting fresh fears. But it also sparked renewed determination to rise up and fight back.
That determination took to the streets as demonstrators poured into Boston Common on Saturday, gathering at the Massachusetts State House before weaving through the city in a forceful display of solidarity. For hours, the city pulsed with the sound of their voices, chants ricocheting off buildings, banners rippling in the wind and an unmistakable demand for justice, autonomy and progress.
Among the crowd was first-year Ellie Wilkins, who knew she couldn’t sit this one out.
“The fact that the government even has the power to control women’s health issues and take away things like birth control and access to Planned Parenthood is a big deal,” Wilkins explained. “It’s a very personal and private thing, and I think something that a woman should have the right to do on her own.”
As the march pressed forward, the urgency of the moment could not be overlooked. Protesters carried signs bearing bold messages, one reading, “IF YOU CAN IGNORE MASS SHOOTINGS, CLIMATE CHANGE & RAPE, CAN YOU IGNORE MY UTERUS?”
Many participants stressed the importance of men being present at the march as well, saying that achieving gender equality requires the support and advocacy of all people, regardless of gender. Participant Martin Kramer marched alongside his wife, motivated by the world he wants for his two young daughters.
“I think it’s important that these events show that both men and women are on the same side,” he said.
Many also shared the hope that the message of the march could travel far beyond the city’s border, into places where freedoms are most under threat. Wilkins acknowledged the privilege of living in Massachusetts, where reproductive rights and gender equality are largely protected, and that people in other states are not as fortunate.
“We are lucky to be in a state where our government does support us, and we’re aware that so many aren’t,” she said.
Kramer echoed that sentiment, expressing hope that the march’s message would reach beyond the city’s borders.
“We sort of live in a bubble here in Massachusetts, so I hope it has an impact in other places, including Washington [D.C.],” Kramer said.
While women’s rights were a central focus, the demonstration became a broader call to action, with protesters raising their voices for better healthcare, immigration justice, the Black Lives Matter movement, the war in Ukraine and LGBTQ+ rights. Signs decried new policies concerning these issues under the new administration. Protesters aimed their criticism not only at the policies of President Donald Trump but also at figures like Elon Musk. One sign read, “TRUMP IS A RUSSIAN OPERATIVE,” while another boldly asserted, “SUPPORT UKRAINE. SAVE OUR DEMOCRACY. FIRE MUSK. STOP PROJECT 2025.”
The march was more than a protest against specific policies or political figures — it was a powerful expression of deep frustration with a system that many believe is failing to safeguard citizens’ rights and dignity. For some, it symbolized resistance against the suppression of individuality and a growing concern that democracy itself is being eroded.
In a time when the very ideals of freedom, equality and justice seem to be under siege, the march conveyed a powerful reminder: Democracy is still alive, and it still matters. Charlotte Craig (AG’97) echoed this sentiment, looking to the future.
“The next generation needs to take up the mantle of defending democracy and defending women’s rights,” Craig said.
For so many who feel unheard, unprotected or sidelined, the march offered something more than resistance — solidarity.
“The people need to be heard and put themselves out there so that these issues are heard and they know that there is some resistance to what’s going on,” Craig said.
Wilkins, too, found hope in the camaraderie of the protest. She emphasized the importance of finding community and standing together with those who share similar values, even when the wider world feels hostile to those beliefs.
“It’s really important to be able to still have opinions and be able to talk about them, and to find a common group of people to talk about them with, even when maybe your government or president doesn’t agree with those opinions,” Wilkins said.
In that sea of voices, Wilkins felt something rare: a spark of hope.
“It was really empowering to be there and know that people are still out there fighting,” she said.
The thousands who filled the streets that day were not merely protesting policies, they were reaffirming the power of civic action. They proved that democracy is not just upheld by institutions but by those who refuse to accept injustice as the norm.
“I hope people understand that democracy still exists and that there are people still willing to fight and express their opinions, even when they’re not supported or relayed by the government,” Wilkins said.
