Sisters Unite!
Ocracoke is hosting our own Sister March to coincide with the big Women's March taking place in Washington, D.C. tomorrow. We will join the more than 600 Sister March events taking place around the world.
"I was so disappointed that I couldn't make it to D.C. for this," said the Sister March host. (Full disclosure: that's me!) "So I decided that Ocracoke, small as we are, has a great big voice and we should use it. Luckily, plenty of other people were already thinking the same thing."
The Ocracoke Sister March will begin at School Road at 1pm, march to the Lighthouse (photo op!) and back again. Parking available at Books to Be Red, the Magic Bean, and the Methodist Church. All are welcome – sisters and brothers! Men don't get to sit this one out just because their gender isn't in the title.
The Mission of the Women's March, and Ocracoke Sister March, is to march "in solidarity with our partners and children 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." In addition to the Mission Statement, the official Women's March website has issued a list of Unity Principles that the march supports: ending violence, reproductive rights, LGBTQIA rights, workers' rights, civil rights, disability rights, immigrant rights, and environmental justice. Whew! You go, sisters!
Ocracoke Sister March will abide by the non-partisan guidelines of the national Women's March so that our gathering is not against any party or person. No matter how much you may hate on a certain someone, try to stay positive in your message and not make it about him/her/it. We are stronger together. Love trumps hate. Etc., etc.
After the Sister March tomorrow, there will be time for music and readings, starting at about 2pm. Great minds think alike! Marcy Brenner and Pat Garber were already planning a musical event of their own, so we joined forces (stronger together....) and they are hosting this portion of the event and welcome all to participate. It will be on the stage at Books to Be Red if the weather is clement; Deepwater Theater if it's indoor weather. Bring your instrument, bring your voice, bring you favorite feel-good folk song, bring your favorite excerpt from your favorite suffragette or founding father or poet or whatever. The organizers discourage speechifying – this isn't a soapbox, but a gathering for sharing what inspires us.
"Our goal is to march in solidarity with those across the country who believe in the values that truly make America great," said Pat.
All are invited to the Magic Bean after the Ocracoke Sister March to call and email our members of Congress about issues we care about. It's time to organize, sisters!
