Today I had the honor of participating in the Women's March on Oklahoma at the state capitol. My mom and I got up early and made the drive up to OKC. It was an incredible experience. In a state like Oklahoma, it can feel like you're the only person who isn't extremely conservative. The organizers said about 12,000 showed up in all. This day was a wonderful example of how many Oklahomans care about women's rights and the rights of all. I loved seeing all these people united, showing that we are truly stronger together.

It was inspiring to hear the words of the Koran read aloud before the march began as well as hearing a prayer and song from a Cheyenne-Arapaho woman in two languages. A UCC pastor gave the best prayer I have ever heard, which asked for guidance but also had us all pledge to the Lord that we will resist oppression.

I went to the march today for many reasons. I marched because I strongly support women's rights, especially a woman's right to choose and the right to healthcare. I marched because I believe that the electoral system is unfair to states with large populations and gives too much power to states with fewer voters. I marched because indigenous people are still facing discrimination in Oklahoma, even though white children are no longer the majority in our public school system. 

I marched because Oklahoma's Muslim community deserves the exact same respect that is given to the Christian community. I marched because I'm tired of being embarrassed every time my home state is mentioned on the national news. I marched because children in Oklahoma deserve a quality education that cannot be delivered without funding. I marched because the Oklahoma Highway Patrol doesn't have the money for troopers to drive more than 100 miles per day.

I marched because I went to a university that still has a racist mascot that glorifies the government's attempts to erase Native culture and take away Native lands. I marched because this same university drew national ire after students used racial slurs and again after the election when a student threatened students in another state using similar language. I marched because I went to a university where men who were known to have harmed women in the past were allowed to walk among us because they were good at playing football. I marched because my female professors made much less money than their male counterparts.

I marched because working on Hillary Clinton's campaign was the greatest honor of my life. I marched because my fight didn't end on November 9th.