CONCORD, NH – Hundreds gathered at the State House in Concord Saturday for the New Hampshire Women’s March.
The third annual event, which was hosted by several nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups across New Hampshire, was held to celebrate progress women and LGBTQ+ people have made over the last two years, both nationally and in the Granite State.
The theme of this year’s rally, We’ve Only Just Begun, signaled an effort to unite voices seeking true equality.
Speakers included U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan, U.S. Congresswoman Annie Kuster, newly-elected U.S. Congressman Chris Pappas, local elected officials, youth leaders, and social justice advocates.
New Hampshire Senate President Donna Soucy recognized the new wave of women leadership at the State House and encouraged attendees to continue fighting for Granite State women and for future generations.
“Your conversations with your family and friends matter. Raising girls who know their strength and boys who respect that strength matters. The work you do matters – and it makes a difference,” Soucy said.
Ayla Wamser, a junior at University of New Hampshire and President of UNH Planned Parenthood Generation Action, highlighted the importance of protecting reproductive rights.
“Reproductivity is a long word. It sounds technical. But reproductive rights are simple. This is my body, and what I do with it is my choice. Whether it’s birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing, or access to safe, legal abortion, women should be making decisions for their bodies, not politicians,” Wamser said.
Tiffany Roberts, a domestic violence and sexual assault survivor and advocate, praised the work the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence is doing to help survivors in the Granite State, and encouraged others to take a stand against sexual and domestic violence.
“The survivors who have come forward have awakened us to the realities of violence against women and have started these critical conversations. Now, we must respond with action. Enough is enough,” Roberts said.