Dear Future Daughter or Son,

I did this for me, but I did it for you too. The current president is a man named Donald Trump. I'm sure you'll know the history of what happens throughout his presidency, because as a parent I will want you to know how history was made. In this past week, it was made twice. Once by his inauguration (lower turnout than your sweet 16 will be), and then the Women's March that happened the day after.

I drove three hours home from school for the march. I made a sign, and I made myself present. My presence was there just like it had been in D.C. many times before, but the ground I walked upon was being pressed for a particular reason. We did not only make footprints, we made waves within the grass.

See, I do not want you to ever think that anyone other than yourself has control over your body. Your body is your body, your body is your body, and your body is your body. A man should not be telling you how to use it, what to do with it, or what not to do with the very vessel that you embody- now and forever. It is yours.

I don't want you to ever think a man can call you names or be scared whenever you hear how callous boys can be when they are just sharing "locker room talk". This talk is not kept in locker rooms, and for that, I am immensely sorry. I've dealt with it, and so has almost every woman across the nation.

Whether they would like to admit that Donald Trump encourages this type of discussion, well, that is up to them. However, I will admit that to you. What he calls locker room talk is something that can be said at schools, in homes, on the streets, and mainly kept in minds. It should not be welcome anywhere, and the fact that it is, is a huge problem.

You deserve to love whomever you love, and I will never put a ceiling on your capacity to love. Love is love and it will always be love, and I do not want anyone ever taking away the love you create, give, or receive. It was never theirs to touch in the first place, but things in the Oval Office are rather handsy right now. You are beautiful no matter your appearance or the orientation you direct it in. This is true now, and this will be true after you.

I went to the Women's March on Washington because it made a difference in the peace I saw in the eyes of those around me. The peace and solidarity I saw in those eyes is something I have not seen for a long time, and I do not know if it will always carry. Right now is a hard time, but a happy time for some. It was radically moving for me to feel as if I was among calm friends, and strangers, even without knowing their names or residence, as we were all in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, January 21, 2017 for a very specific reason.

We will not let our fears be silent, and my future, your future, will not be a decision for a man in power, another human being, a person other than myself or yourself to make.

Another reason I went is because I exercised my right. You are going to grow up, and you will be able to form your own beliefs, and when you do- I want you to know this: everyone has the right to their own beliefs. Your eyes were made to see the world through a lens you create all on your very own.

Everyone has a different lens, and I hope you know that is okay. It is alright. I told you love is love, right? Well love can be felt throughout any party, any person, and any place. People voted for a president that I do not want to help raise a generation of little boys thinking that grabbing ANYTHING is okay. I want to explain to you that people are scared, and were scared, and will be scared for a while. No matter what type of person they are. It is a scary time.

I do not understand why people voted for this man. My ears are always listening, and my mind can't quit running, but my heart will be hurting for this reason for a very, very long time. I will not let it ruin the way I see the world, and I know that our nation is better than some of the things the current leader of it has condoned recently.

I hope when you see this, if you see this some day: you understand that I walked all over the National Mall, sign in hand, beliefs and love in mind, and determination in heart, for you and me. No one can make you feel small unless you let them- no matter how much they plan on trying to crush your spirit.

I am inspired, and I am ready to make a change. I won't stop fighting for me, for you, for them, for everyone. The spirit of the future could be felt through each sign, each step, and each soul felt today.

Everything is going to be okay. It will be for me, and it will be for you. Never stop fighting for what you believe is right. I love you, and I will always protect you as I am starting to more fiercely protect myself.

Love,

A young woman protecting herself and her future