About 60 community members braved near-freezing weather Sunday to march half a mile along Adams Street to affirm that Toledo is a city that believes in peace, justice, and dignity for all.
The YWCA I Rise Coalition’s annual Unity March, an event registered with the national Women’s March, began with speakers at the Love Wall and ended with refreshments and fellowship at Trinity Episcopal Church. Leaders from various local organizations spoke about discrimination, human trafficking, sexual harassment, reproductive rights, global warming, and the 2020 U.S. Census, among other topics.
All called on the community to stand up for the city’s vulnerable populations and to elect leaders that do the same.
Lisa McDuffie, president and chief executive of the YWCA of Northwest Ohio, applauded the women who attended Sunday’s event to make their voices heard on issues they care about. She also thanked the men who showed up in solidarity.
“I know that many of the men who are here are concerned about the wage gap and the inequity of pay that their wives, mothers, and daughters may be facing,” Ms. McDuffie said. “In the unfortunate incident of violence, you want the voices of your wives, your mothers, and your daughters to be heard.... You want them to be able to work in any industry and not be subjected to sexual harassment.”
She encouraged all in attendance to contact their elected officials and urge them to allocate funding to agencies, like the YWCA, that provide resources for women.
The YWCA this year will celebrate its 150th anniversary of empowering women and fighting to end racism.
“Who knew that a mission like that would still be relevant 150 years later?” Ms. McDuffie said.
Marchers wore pins and carried signs that read, “No War,” “Respect LGBTQ Rights,” and “Vote for Women.” Trinity Episcopal Church’s bells sounded cheerfully to welcome the marchers inside as they neared the end of their route.
Rashaunda Williams of Toledo works with the nonprofit Optimistic Movement and helped organize the event.
“I met a lot of people and heard a lot of awesome speeches,” she said while sipping hot chocolate inside the church.
Mary Kyllo of Bowling Green volunteers with the anti-gun violence group Moms Demand Action and said she also attended to make connections with like-minded people.
“We want a presence in the community and to gain support for decreasing violence in our communities,” she said.
Vanessa Lasenby of Toledo works for the YWCA’s child-care resource and referral section. She attended this year’s march because she wants young people and their parents to see there are people in the community who support them. She said she believes younger generations will continue to fight society’s inequities.
“I just feel that we all have to stand up and unite in all forms: race, sex, religion, and disability,” she said. “If we keep standing up and being united, then there will be more and more of us all around the world who will try to keep that unity together.”
First Published January 27, 2020, 12:01 a.m.
