Women’s March San Luis Obispo is dissolving after 6 years and 56 events. Here’s why
In 2017, thousands of people joined Women’s March SLO to demonstrate in the streets the day after then-President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Now, after six years and 56 marches, rallies and events, the organization is disbanding.
The founders are moving on to different community roles to continue building “a women-friendly world through education, advocacy and action,” according to the Women’s March SLO newsletter.
“We founders are moving on as individuals to work for the same goals but with different tools,” the newsletter said. “We encourage you to do the same with the organizations that continue to do the real work to ensure an equitable and just future for all.”
In 2022, co-founder Dawn Addis was elected to represent San Luis Obispo County in the State Legislature, and co-founder Andrea Chmelik is Addis’ district director, according to Women’s March project director Pat Harris.
Meanwhile, co-founder Jen Ford serves on the Morro Bay City Council, and co-founder Rita Casaverde is chair of the San Luis Obispo County Democratic Party, Harris said.
“We were very interested in supporting women who are interested in running for office,” Harris told The Tribune. “We feel like we’ve really done that here.”
In January, more than 300 people showed up for the most recent Women’s March in SLO. The rally’s theme was “when women run, women win,” and speakers encouraged attendees to engage in politics and fight for equitable healthcare access to abortion, The Tribune reported.
“Our platform has initiated, empowered and invigorated organizations and individuals to take action for social justice and change at the grassroots level,” the newsletter said. “Most notably, the number of women and diverse people who have been encouraged to run for office and who have won locally, statewide and nationally has dramatically increased, claiming a voice and a seat at the table.”
The organization said it would donate its remaining funds to groups such as Lumina Alliance, SLO UndocuSupport, R.A.C.E. Matters, Diversity Coalition SLO County, GALA Pride & Diversity Center, Planned Parenthood and the SLO Climate Coalition.
“We are all aware that we were just sort of the public faces of the organization, but really it was about the thousands of people that came out over the course of six years to support our mission,” Harris said. “We didn’t want to disappoint them by fading into the sunset.”
Harris encouraged folks to continue to vote and be politically active.
“Women’s March isn’t gone,” Harris said. “Women can march any time we want to.”
This story was originally published February 22, 2023 at 12:15 PM.
