Marching for Change: Hope, Rage, and Creativity in Portland

This past Saturday, March 8, I found myself on the river walk in Portland, swept up in the energy of the Women’s March. The streets were alive with voices, laughter, and the steady music of honking cars in support as we move together toward something bigger than any one of us. What struck me most were the signs—brilliant, bold, and blisteringly clever. Messages of defiance, resilience, and humor were held high by people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences. Some made me laugh out loud, others made my chest tighten with rage, but all of them reminded me why we were there: to demand a more just and equal future for all.

Activism is an act of hope, and that’s exactly what I felt as I stood among the crowd, snapping photos of the moment and striking up conversations with new friends. You have to be able to imagine change in order to fight for it. This march—this gathering of voices—was a testament to that creative hope. It reminded me that, despite the setbacks, despite the frustration, people are still showing up, still speaking out. And that means something. As I walked back through the city, my heart felt just a little lighter, knowing that I wasn’t alone in believing in a better future.