Women's March SF Announces First Group of Speakers on Theme: TOGETHER WE RISE!
On January 18, 2020, Women’s March San Francisco will again march and rally. Starting at 11:00 AM at San Francisco City Hall Plaza, the rally features a lineup of speakers who advocate for human rights, civil liberties, and social justice for all – topics central to the Women’s March San Francisco mission.
“We’re at a pivotal moment for women’s rights globally – there has been vicious backlash against the advancement of women over the last year that has resulted in increased violence and harassment,” says Sophia Andary, chair of Women’s March San Francisco. “This year’s theme of #TOGETHERWERISE! will serve as a motivator to once again unite as a rich and diverse community and march for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families worldwide.”
This year’s speakers are leaders and defenders of human rights, promoting a society in which women – all women – are free and able to care for and nurture their families, however they are formed, in safe and healthy environments free from structural impediments.
“While this has been a monumental year for women in U.S. politics, with 23.6 percent of the United States Congress comprised of women, 25 percent in the U.S. Senate, and 23.2 percent in the U.S. House of Representatives, we cannot lose site of the work that is yet to be done,” said Elizabeth Lanyon, Advisor and City Liaison for Women’s March San Francisco. “But even at our best, we comprise roughly a quarter of the voices speaking on behalf of our communities; we have a long way to go and in order to progress, we must work together.”
The March and Rally are both family-friendly events planned and run by an all-volunteer staff. It is strongly encouraged that people take public transit to the event. After the rally, the march will commence at 1:00 p.m. and conclude at Embarcadero.
Women’s March San Francisco is a 501c3 organization supported entirely by donations, which can be made at: https://womensmarchsf.org/donate/
At the Rally:
MC: Kimberly Ellis, American activist, Executive Director of Emerge California
After running national operations, including the shepherding of the state and federal incorporation and launch processes as the National Affiliate Director at Emerge America (the nation’s most effective training program for Democratic women who run for office) in 2010, Kimberly was tapped to lead the flagship affiliate, Emerge California, as its Executive Director.
Rally Speakers: (alphabetized by last name)
Carmen Chu, Assessor-Recorder, The City and County of San Francisco
Carmen Chu was appointed by late Mayor Edwin M. Lee to serve as San Francisco Assessor in 2013 before she was re-elected in November 2014 and again in 2018. Since taking office, Carmen has the distinction of being the only Asian American female Assessor in all 58 of California’s counties.
Malia Cohen, Chair, Board of Equalization, 2nd District
Malia M. Cohen serves as a Member of the California State Board of Equalization (BOE), California’s elected tax commission. Elected in November 2018, she is the first African-American woman to serve on the Board. In January 2019, her BOE Board Member colleagues unanimously selected her to serve as Chair of the Board.
Saru Jayaraman, President, One Fair Wage
Saru Jayaraman is the President of One Fair Wage, Co-Founder of the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC United) and Director of the Food Labor Research Center at the University of California, Berkeley. After 9/11, together with displaced World Trade Center workers, she co-founded ROC, which now has more than 30,000 worker members.
Teresa Mejía, Executive Director, The Women’s Building
Teresa Mejía is a community activist, feminist, single mother, Puerto Rican and the Executive Director of The Women’s Building, which stands in the heart of the Mission District brilliantly painted with a mural dedicated to women, Maestrapeace.
Toni Newman, Author and Executive Director, St. James Infirmary
Toni is the author of the 2011 memoir, “I Rise-The Transformation of Toni Newman” discussing her 25 year difficult transition. The memoir was nominated in 2012 in two categories for the Lambda Literary Awards, honored in 2012 by Wake Forest University for Faces of Courage, and has been featured in the Advocate, Ebony magazine and Huffington Post.
Shannon Watts, Founder, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
Shannon Watts is the founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America—the nation’s largest grassroots gun violence prevention group, with chapters in all 50 states and a powerful network of volunteers and survivors that has successfully effected change at the local, state and national level.
For more information about ADA registration and how to participate, as a partner or otherwise, click here.
FOR MEDIA: B-roll and images from previous marches and other materials are available. Please register for press credentials for access to on-site press facilities.
For interviews or to register as press, please contact: womensmarch@thekeypr.com
*entire list of speakers and special musical guest to be announced in early 2020