A young girl shows off her sign to support International Women’s Day during the Cincinnati Women’s March on March 8, 2025.
The Women’s March gathered for a rally in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, March 8. The demonstration was held on the occasion of International Women’s Day as part of the nationwide Unite and Resist National Day of Action initiative sponsored by the organization.
The event took place in front of the Fifth Third National Bank complex on 520 Vine Street, and drew moderate crowds around Fountain Square. The protest was originally planned to take place outside City Hall, but concerns over nearby construction projects prompted the move to 520 Vine.
Background speakers blasted feel-good pop tunes as sign-toting participants flocked around a constructed stage platform, where a line-up of five activist leaders conducted the proceedings via megaphone.
The event featured a diverse panel of speakers, including Katie Savage Grieshop, a member of the 50501 Movement, and Kylee Ham, a registered nurse in UC Medical Emergency Department and president of the UCMC Registered Nurses Association.
Olivia Merril, secretary of the Cincinnati chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, also spoke alongside Nicole King, a critical care anesthesiologist and board member of Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights. Rounding out the panel was Chanel Bryant, vice president and chief of operations at The Country Meat Co. Marketplace.
Described on the Women’s March website as a stand “against fascism and those who would harm our community,” the event drew a variety of colorful slogans and progressive imagery displayed on protest signs and posters. Messages of “Fight like a Girl,” and “We won’t Go Back” were popular choices.
Among the gathered crowd were several current and former UC students.
Ellie Hartman, a junior on the Pre-Physician Assistant Track, expressed that she attended to fight for the rights of women and all marginalized communities, “I’m very glad that there are so many different issues that people are coming out to speak on and use their voices to be heard,” Hartman said.
Paige Wilkins, a junior studying Psychology/Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, echoed similar enthusiasm, praising recent student efforts made in response to potential DEI prohibitions on UC’s campus. “I’m pissed the f--- off (…) but I’m proud of my fellow students for fighting back against these changes and not backing down, because we all know how important it is.”
Abby K., a UC alum of ‘98, attended the march with her friend and daughter, “I think it’s important that young women, older women, and everyone actually, stand up for our rights as women in society. It’s great that men are here as well, it’s wonderful to see so many people here standing up for women’s rights.”
