On January 21, 2017, we marched in San Luis Obispo. Ten thousand of us stood together in solidarity for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families – recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country.
The march was only the beginning. We continue to work for a positive and just future. And together, we are making a difference. Below is a list of events and action items that WMSLO organized, co-organized or supported in the last 100 days.
100 DAYS
January 22 – Action #1 from 10 actions /100 days WM campaign: Hear Our Voice
Hundreds of postcards were written to our representatives at postcard writing parties. WMSLO provided “Hear Our Voice” postcards at several events, and many local activists took it upon themselves to print the cards for their own events.
January 24 – Dawn Addis, the co-founder of WMSLO, spoke at the Cal Poly Dems “Empowerment in the Time of Trump” panel featuring some of the most impactful women on the Central Coast.
January 31 – Action #2 from 10 actions /100 days WM campaign: Huddle
Local activists – seasoned and brand new – created groups that have been instrumental in organizing and supporting events in SLO county. Just a few examples:
- Meredith Bates has created teams for city, county, state and national issues. One of the members organized the Tax March Morro Bay Flash Mob Photo Op
- Debbie Gedayloo, founder of kindnessmattersslo, co-organized A Day Without A Woman with WMSLO, organized the Save Our Science Group and Traveling Lab Coat Exhibit, and advised on the Science March SLO.
- Dara Stepanek, founder of Social Justice League, organized numerous events, including postcard writing parties and We Still Care aerial photo for April 15. She is currently co-directing a play called Girls Like That for Nipomo High School Theatre Company that tackles many issues facing modern youth, including slut-shaming, body image, and cyberbullying. It is a powerful piece that looks at the importance of solidarity in our fight for equity.
February 1 – Pro-Peace Immigration Vigil
WMSLO organized a candlelight demonstration in support of the Muslim community and other immigrants in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order on immigration and temporary travel ban preventing people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. More than 300 people attended.
February 12 – Action #3 from 10 actions /100 days WM campaign: Hear Our Voice
In collaboration with other local activists, WMSLO mobilized marchers to attend town halls with representatives.
- February 22 – Hear Our Voice at Congressman Carbajal’s Town Hall
- February 23 – Hear Our Voice at Assemblyman Cunningham’s Town Hall
February 24 – Get to Know Your Muslim Neighbors
WMSLO advised on and supported Get To Know Your Muslim Neighbors event organized by Mosque of Nasreen, Muslim Student Association and Islamic Society of San Luis Obispo County. Over 400 people attended.
March 5 – Community Collaboration Meeting
Bend the Arc & Women’s March SLO came together to host a coalition building meeting for local groups working to create a better future locally and globally.
March 8 – Action #4 from 10 actions /100 days WM campaign: A Day Without A Woman March and Minute of Silence
Hundreds attended the Day Without a Woman march from Meadow Park to Mission Plaza and stood for a moment of silence on International Women’s Day to honor the contributions that women of all backgrounds add to our socio-economic system while receiving lower wages and experiencing greater inequities, vulnerability to discrimination, sexual harassment, and job insecurity.
March 8 – International Women’s Day Nipomo Progressive Women’s Forum
WMSLO proudly presented a check for $10,000 that the marchers helped to raise to RISE SLO. Dawn Addis, the co-founder of WMSLO, was a panel speaker at the event.
March 16 – Action #5 from 10 actions /100 days WM campaign: Reflect and Resist
Online campaign to educate about feminism and activism.
April 4 – Action #6 from 10 actions /100 days WM campaign: Hear Our Vote
Ongoing online voter registration campaign. Pick up “Hear Our Vote” postcards at one of our events and let the candidates know what issues you will be considering before voting for them. Hear Our Vote merchandise is available at our online store – buy here.
April 6 – Being an Ally – How Communities Can Respond to the Immigration Crisis
Over 400 people attended this event where a panel of speakers talked about challenges immigrants and communities face and what we can do to serve as allies. Organizers also discussed the event on KCBX’s Central Coast Voices.
April 13 – Vigil For Syrian Refugees
More than 100 people join WMSLO and sister marches across the US to show support for Syrian victims and refugees and to let the government know that they support the immigration of those fleeing from the Syrian conflict.
April 18 – Action #7 from 10 actions /100 days WM campaign: We Belong Together
Online campaign to educate and to engage with young activists on issues ranging from immigration and deportation, to criminalization of youth of color, to teaching tolerance. Support our youth by attending Nipomo High School Theatre Company’s play Girls Like That.
April 25 – Action #8 from 10 actions /100 days WM campaign: Why We Resist
Online campaign to encourage dialogue and connect with people beyond familiar circle.
April 29 – RISE SLO’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
WMSLO formed a team to walk and fundraise for RISE SLO’s Walk a Mile event that brings attention to sexual assault and intimate partner violence. As of this day, we raised close to $2,000.
April 30 – Community Collaboration Meeting Follow Up
Second meeting for coalition building organized by Bend The Arc & WMSLO
AWARDS
March 27 – Co-founder and co-organizer of the WMSLO, Dawn Addis, was named the California’s 24th Congressional District’s Woman of the Year by Congressman Salud Carbajal for her efforts to successfully organize thousands in peaceful demonstration on January 21 at Women’s March San Luis Obispo.
April 20 – The Women’s March on Washington co-chairs – Tamika Mallory, Bob Bland, Carmen Perez and Linda Sarsour – among TIME’s 100 most influential people in 2017.
April 25 – 2017 PEN/Toni and James C. Goodale Freedom of Expression Courage Award to the Women’s March for acting at a critical moment to overcome the inertia and fear of failure that can impair public mobilization, and for inspiring millions in America and around the world to do the same.
April 25 – the Webby Awards 2017 announced Women’s March the Social Movement of the Year.
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 1 – March for Immigrant Workers/International Workers’ Day
Join thousands of workers across the country and the world on May Day and march with us! We rise together to protect immigrants, workers, the differently abled, women, children, youth, the elderly, and indigenous and LGBTQIA communities. We value education and health for all, environmental, racial, and economic justice, religious freedom, and the end to the criminalization of our communities. Find out more here.
May 10 – 50/50 Day
On May 10th, join thousands of organizations, companies, schools, museums, libraries and homes — anywhere people already gather — in a global conversation about what it will take to get to a more gender-balanced world in all sectors of society: business, politics, culture, home, and more. Find out more here
May 17-Jun 21 – Empower.SLO
Ecologistics offers a six-week course in participatory citizenship that will run from May 17-Jun 21. The goal of this course is to give attendants the tools to build a just and sustainable future. Dawn Addis and Andrea Chmelik will teach the Strategies For Community Organizing workshop. Find out more here.
STAY IN TOUCH
We are fired up and ready to continue our work – are you? Your support and engagement is vital for a future that is positive and just for all. Keep showing up and keep speaking out. Stay in touch!
- visit our website and sign up for our emails
- follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram
- check our community events calendarhttps://womensmarchslo.com///calendar/