Women's March-McHenry County to host a rally, march Jan. 18 in Woodstock

It has been three years since the historic 2017 Women's March that was the largest single-day protest in U.S. history.

The march galvanized this country and birthed a new wave of the women's rights movement, a movement that has gained momentum every year since. It inspired hundreds of women to run, millions more to vote, and dozens to win elected office.

The stage is set for women to be a driving force in 2020. The nation will be commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave some women the right to vote, and the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which later expanded critical voting rights and protections for people of color.

March organizers believe that the 2020 election may well be the most important of our lifetimes.

"Women have watched these past three years as basic human rights have been trampled on, as issues important to women and families have been ignored. Polls have found that they are highly motivated to go to the polls and do something about it," said Ruth Scifo, a spokesperson for Women's March-McHenry County and co-host of the event.

This year's march is also being co-sponsored by the McHenry County Chapter of NOW.

"We would like to tie our theme of Women Rising with women rising up to vote, especially in the 2020 elections, and to reflect the importance of women using their vote to make their voices heard," said McHenry County NOW President Anna Gifford.

Speakers scheduled to speak at this writing include:

• U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (6th District) and Lauren Underwood (14th District);

• Laura Welch, president of the Illinois State National Organization for Women;

• Amanda Garcia of the National Immigrant Justice Center in Chicago;

• Carol Heisler of the AAUW Crystal Lake Area-IL Branch.

A rally will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at the gazebo in Historic Woodstock Square.

In addition to short remarks, the event will include a march around Woodstock Square.

For more information on Women's Marches around the country, visit www.womensmarch.com.

If you would like more information on the local Women's March, email womensmarchmc@gmail.com or mchconow@outlook.com.