The Million Woman March was a protest march organized on October 25, 1997, on the Benjamin Franklin Park Way in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On his first day as the 45th President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump vowed to make the country "come together as never before." But his plea for unity is falling on plenty of deaf ears, as Americans outraged over his election are already planning a "Million Women March on D.C." for Jan. 21 — the day after the Trump will officially be sworn in as President. "March from Lincoln Memorial to White House to show our strength, power and courage and demonstrate our disapproval of the hate and bigotry exemplified in the 2016 election," says a description on the national Facebook page for the march.
The march was founded and formulated by Phile Chionesu, a grassroots activist, human rights advocate, Black Nationalist/Freedom Fighter, and owner of an African crafts shop. She actually was not associated with any national black organizations. After several months of underground organizing, Dr Phile', as she is lovingly called, asked Asia Coney to join her, making her the third National Co-Chair. The march was envisioned and intended to help bring social, political, and economic development and power throughout the black communities of the United States, as well as to bring hope, empowerment, unity and sisterhood to women, men and children of African descent globally regardless of nationality, religion, or economic status. One main focus of the march for the women involved was family unity and what it means to be an African American woman in America. The women of the march called for three things: repentance for the pain of black women caused by one another, and the restoration and resurrection of African American family and community bonds.[4] The march included scheduled hours of prayer and speeches.
The day was filled with prayer, music, and inspirational speeches. These events were meant to promote positive change. The march started from the Liberty Bell and ended at the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum. Speakers at the event included Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, the ex-wife of Nelson Mandela; Congresswoman Maxine Waters; Sista Souljah; Jada Pinkett Smith; Attallah and Ilyasah Shabazz, the daughters of Malcolm X; and Dr. Dorothy Height. A message was read from Assata Shakur from her exile home of Cuba. The march has been considered a social phenomenon due to its unconventional and unique way of organizing. It has influenced several mass gatherings by demonstrating a grassroots approach that had not been employed before. These women were able to use different methods of spreading information via media coordinators like BWN NJ Delegate Stacey Chambers, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and, by word of mouth, fliers, black-run media, the Internet, and a network of women's organizations.[9] The Million Woman March was the launching pad for the development of the first global movement for women and girls of African descent throughout the Diaspora.
