To those of you who marched on Washington and in sister marches across the globe: thank you. Thank you for showing up and speaking out. Thank you for standing up for what is right. Each and every one of you demonstrated incredible courage and sent ripples through the world whose effects will be felt for decades. The time is now, and watching so many beautiful souls come together in solidarity was what we needed to come out with a bang. We are here and we will not be silenced. From long time freedom fighters to new mothers marching for their children and those who may feel that they are still children themselves, thank you. As overwhelmed and humbled as I am, I know that I cannot even begin to wrap my head around the footprint this revolution will leave on the world.

To the senior citizens who marched: thank you for showing us that it’s always worth the fight. Thank you for being our role models. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and for raising us to grow stronger and louder with each generation. Thank you for training us to fight harder against each decade’s nuanced forms of injustice. Thank you for being a part of history, and for watching it repeat itself once again and still having the grit to stick it out and work towards a better tomorrow for the generations we’ve yet to meet. Maybe we’ll see that tomorrow together and maybe the universe isn’t quite there yet, but thank you for chipping away at the patriarchy and other monumental injustices with us-we won’t stop until the fight has been won, whether it be with this generation or several more. We have fought for years, and I know you are tired but you have also never been more awake. Thank you for not giving up, and for showing those who think these causes are just millennial tantrums that they should open their eyes to affairs both past and present, and they should check the gears on their moral compass.

To the mothers who marched for their children: thank you for showing us what a strong woman looks like and for guiding us to be strong women ourselves. Thank you for giving us the tools to save the world, and for the ability to pass this on to future generations of women, whether we choose to have daughters of our own or to inspire young minds outside of our home. Thank you for not being silent, and for sharing the torch with us in these times of solidarity and for letting us carry it on our own when we must go alone. Thank you for showing us that no person ever stays the same, that labels are for soup cans, and that we should explore and learn and grow at all times. They always said it takes a village, but being angsty as we are, we thought and sometimes still think that we can do it on our own. Thank you for being patient and giving us the core values that we need to maneuver this world. Our conclusions may not match your own, but we have you to thank for the ability to think for ourselves.

To the fathers who marched for and with their children: thank you for showing us that there are good men in this world that will join and uplift us, instead of rushing to shelter us as if we were damsels incapable of making change or simply dismissing our status as humans. Thank you for valuing all humans, and for standing by the LGBTQ+ community and having the grace to accept things you may not understand. Your support in this is welcome. Thank you for understanding that even though this isn’t about you, it is important for your children, and their children, and the world. Thank you for valuing human life outside of yourself despite the actions of many of your peers, and for listening to and spreading the message of this movement.

To all minorities who have been oppressed and mistreated by this country and this world, thank you for showing up for all of us. We will fight for you as you have fought for yourselves for many years. Thank you for still harboring hope in a world that does not give you an ounce of the respect that you deserve. I will fight for a world that will keep you safe and embrace your beauty. Thank you for refusing to change to fit societal standards, you are important as you are — in your pure essence. I stand next to you now and I will forever stand next to you in our fight against the blasphemous concept that some humans are superior to others. Thank you for taking pride in yourself and everything that makes you the unique rays of sunshine that you are. I will not be blind to your race, your culture, and what makes you who you are, and I will see you as my equal. Thank you for educating the world that this movement is not just for white women. It is for you. Thank you for continuing to shout the importance of intersectional feminism. Thank you for inspiring a generation to believe in love for all, a voice for all. Thank you for your fearless leadership.

To the ones who march despite great personal obstacles concerning special needs in the areas of physical and mental health: thank you. The world may not treat you as you deserve to be treated, even those who may be coming in with the best intentions. Thank you for continuing to teach us what is best for you and how we can advocate for you-you are the only ones that can teach us properly. Thank you for raising awareness, for correcting our misuses of terms and unhelpful or demeaning accommodations and for being so pure, kind, and understanding. You are important, and you are a human too. Your differences are not disabilities to be ashamed of. May the world learn to love you as you are and make it a better place for you to exist in.

To the celebrities who march-thank you for using your influence for the good of our world, and please do not stop here. We're just getting started, and having you on our side is a megaphone the world can benefit from. We often idolize you as artists, but you are so much more. You are real humans who have the power to reach millions and inspire change. Thank you for using your spotlight and doing your part to save the world. Thank you for joining in on this cause and marching amongst the masses. Thank you for realizing that we are all one here, but also understanding that no two individuals share the same exact oppression. We are thankful for your attendance and your humility.

To the parents who brought their young children to march: Thank you for showing up. Thank you for not leaving it up to the people who may have more time or energy. Thank you for going through the debacle of packing snacks, extra blankets, toys, and every other item that is necessary to keep a small human taken care of during an extended period of time in public. I am not a parent myself, but I know that it isn’t easy and you should know that you’re wonderful. Thank you for showing your children to stand up for what they believe in, and that you will not stay silent. Thank you for showing them that it is vital to show up because nobody has ever gotten anywhere expecting someone else to do the work. We have learned in our history books and even in most recent months that we cannot take anything as a joke and assume that good will “wipe the floor” with evil on its own. Thank you for teaching patience, kindness, and acceptance. We are all trying to save the world piece by piece, and by refusing to let your children be corrupted by social constructs you are doing your part. Thank you for that.

To those of you who are displeased with these marches, protests, and expressions of discontent: I am not sorry. I wish you an open mind to identify situations of ignorance, disenfranchisement, and injustice. If nothing else, I wish you the kindness and empathy to appreciate such a huge gathering and sense of camaraderie worldwide. Do not misinterpret my intentions-I have no hatred for you (maybe some frustrations, yes, and I am sorry if my patience ever wears thin). I respect our differences, as long as those differences do not disrespect someone else's existence and fundamental right to fully partake as a human in this world. This has nothing to do with party lines, and I am not intimidated by donkeys and elephants. I am terrified of those beasts with malicious intent disguised as donkeys and elephants, and especially those with good intentions that do not realize indirect discrimination and disenfranchisement as a result of their choices, statements, policies, and actions. I encourage you to educate yourself on all the issues we face, to refuse to spread hate, and to take a step back from your own shoes.

I will continue to fight the systematic flaws that have been inherently harmful for decades, and I wish our new leaders the patience, balance, and heart to see past red and blue maps to find the souls of Americans. I will stay up to date with the current science and news, taking in good information and sorting out the bad, and I encourage each of you to do the same. I wish no bad things upon you or your own, and I hope that you have the heart to do the same for myself and my loved ones, and the rest of the humans we walk this world with.