Onward, Out Loud!

Women know what it is to be silenced. To be violently hushed.

To honor the 100th anniversary of a woman's right to vote, let us choose to exercise our freedom loudly and unapologetically.

Our voices have been and are often still considered lesser than. We must fight to be heard, and fight we will.

We must shatter the societal ideal of women who strive to be agreeable. Disagree with someone's view? Keep quiet. Feel passionately about an issue? Don't be too enthusiastic in your political opinions. Hear a family member or loved one say something problematic? Avoid the confrontation.

No more.

It is our responsibility to call out problematic behavior--especially when it comes from those who are close to us. Particularly white women--it is our responsibility to use our unearned privilege to break down both subtle and overt white supremacy and to amplify the voices of women of color as we tackle injustice together. Our selective, exclusive activism is an act of violence.

If you are not actively opposing injustice, you are actively supporting it.

In the words of American activist and author Angela Davis, "In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be antiracist." Let these words inspire us to be intentionally and vehemently against racism, sexism, bigotry, and the endless other forms hatred takes on in both our communities and our country at large.

Let us enter the new year with a passion for justice so strong that our determination and dedication to all women are unmistakable. All women fighting for all women. All women supporting all women. All women lifting up all women. All women for all women.