“It’s crucial to remember that women’s anger has been received – and vilified or marginalized – in ways that have reflected the very same biases that provoked it: black women’s fury is treated differently than white women’s rage; poor women’s frustrations are heard differently from the ire of the wealthy. Yet despite the varied and unjust ways America has dismissed or derided the rages of women, those rages have often borne substantive change, alternations to the nation’s rules and practices, its very fabric.” – Rebecca Traister.

Moved by these words, this weekend has become one filled with inspiration, motivation, and a call to action! As of yesterday, I am officially a lead member of the Moms Demand Action SE Portland chapter, and I will be marching downtown tomorrow to show my support for the impeachment inquiry against President Trump.

I was also poignantly and painfully reminded of the harms women have suffered at the hands of men yesterday watching Chanel Miller’s Conversation with Amy Goodman on Democracy Now. Ms. Miller is the infamous “Emily Doe” victim of Stanford University swimmer and convicted rapist, Brock Turner. A crime, and subsequent criminal sentencing, that shook so many – parents, students, community members – to the core. As a child of Palo Alto and a competitive swimmer since 8 years old, I was particularly stunned, offended, frightened, and bewildered by the egregious conduct of this ruthless perpetrator and the unconscionably minimal sentence he received.

It is perhaps reminders like these that compel me to dissect why I was rattled just last weekend, walking alone down the sidewalk of an unfamiliar city. When I heard the voices of men from a passing car, shouting and hollering for my attention, I was simultaneously flattered, amused, apprehensive, and fearful. Facing my 40th birthday in a few short months, I readily admit being noticed by any man instantly feels like an affirmation that I may still possess desirability (despite what 40+ year old women have been told for generations), but also made me know these guys couldn’t tell my age as they approached me from behind. What struck me in that moment was the realization that no matter my age, no matter in which city I walk, I am vulnerable to men who want to harm me. And for that, I resent the unsolicited attention.