This commentary is by Melinda Moulton of Huntington. She is a writer, filmmaker, social and climate activist, and community leader.
Seven years ago, on January 21, 2017, an estimated 15,000-20,000 people arrived in Montpelier for the Women’s March and Unity Rally. It was a colorful sign-studded, pussy-hatted, mammoth crowd that gathered to march and rally for women. Our Vermont event aligned with marches across the world. We joined to show our support not just for women, but for all people of color, Native Americans, physically diverse and neurodiverse populations, and the LGBTQ+ community. It was a massive day, and many of you were probably there.
Women for all eternity have been fighting for their rights. We understand that our hard work benefits all human beings: people of every gender, race, religion and economic status. Here in Vermont, we advocate for fair wages, gender-based health care, protections for human rights and equality for everyone. Our Vermont movement has grown strong in order to solidify support and increase activism to quell efforts outside of our state to push us down.
At the forefront of our present-day Vermont activism is the need and necessity to elevate into the light the rights of those who are unfairly disenfranchised in our society. Inclusiveness is paramount and we believe in the need to lift up all lives because if we do, then we all grow stronger.
Vermonters understand this and our recent history confirms it. Our voices are powerful, our service to others focused, and our recognition of our higher purpose proudly on display. When pushed down, we rise up and embrace the moment with even greater resolve. We are gritty and determined up here in the north country.
In 2022 we were outraged when the United States Supreme Court reversed the protections women had to safe and legal abortions for 50 years. The Supremes handed over to the states the power to decide what women can and cannot do with their own bodies.
What did Vermont do? We passed the Vermont Reproductive Liberty Amendment to our state constitution. Sadly, 13 states have banned abortion with no exceptions for incest or rape. 63% of Americans believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases. The Guttmacher Institute has reported that 50% of people who seek abortions live at or below the federal poverty level, and more than 50% are Black or Hispanic. Even the day-after pill, mifepristone, and in vitro fertilization are under threat.
In 2022, 315 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced in state legislatures and 29 were passed into law. 50% of our states have created barriers for our youth to receive gender-affirming health care and some of the introduced bills carry huge penalties for their parents, even classifying it as “child abuse”. But here in Vermont, in 2023, we passed S.37, known as the abortion and gender-affirming care “shield bill.”
McKinsey’s “women in the workplace” report, conducted in partnership with LeanIn.Org, reports that women are far less likely than men to attain their very first promotion to a managerial role — a situation that is not improving, and this phenomenon is even worse for women of color, who represent only 7% of current managerial positions — only a 4% increase since 2017. The report continues to state that at the current pace of progress, it would take 48 years for the representation of white women and women of color in senior leadership to reflect their share of the U.S. population. But, here in Vermont our Legislature passed a measure that expands Vermont’s equal pay law.
Vermont is a leader in women’s rights, but we can do more especially to help support women across the country who are losing them.
UN Women identifies eight things that we can do to support the rights of women.
Raise our voices.
Support one another.
Share the workload.
Get involved.
Educate the next generation.
Know our rights.
Join the online conversation.
Give to the cause.
When Stacey Abrams was here for a Vermont Women’s Fund event she mentioned three things we all need to do: “Speak up, connect and be relentless.” I believe Vermont excels at all three, and although we cannot let down our guard, we should be very proud of our progress. You can raise your voices at this year’s Vermont Women’s Rally on Nov. 2 at the Statehouse.
Read the story on VTDigger here: Melinda Moulton: Women’s voices lift up everyone.