With all the fanfare surrounding the women’s marches held in our nation and around the world this past January, I thought it a good time to call to mind the numerous women who didn’t attend. Now, the reasons for our absences are surely manifold. But it is certainly true, many did not attend, not because they didn’t want to, but rather because they weren’t invited. Perhaps here I should say more correctly, they were “disinvited,” since it wasn’t simply a matter of being left off the roster: I was among those singled out.

Though people from various walks of life (women, men and LGBTQ alike) were welcomed at the marches, organizers made one thing abundantly clear: If you don’t support Planned Parenthood and its agenda, don’t show. The abortion issue was made a litmus test, sifting worthy sisters from those they would seek to exclude and silence. Such organizers shamefully marginalized pro-life people (particularly women) for the crime of a dissenting opinion.

Why did I not attend in protest? Perhaps I should have … perhaps I will. Yet I can’t help but consider, I shouldn’t have to. I too care about my community and country. The disintegration of political systems and the plight of vulnerable people (especially women and children), both here and abroad weighs heavily on me. I should be able to come as a woman, with my own opinions, honored as hard-won and as legitimate as anyone else’s.

It is biting irony that these marches which purported to give voice to the voiceless would so unapologetically impose silence on me and those who share concern for the unborn. As long as we are kept quiet and at a distance at such events, the media can continue to demonize our pro-life community as the “lunatic fringe,” rather than the concerned and compassionate citizens that we truly are.

A last thought. Tolerance can only be truly extended to those you disagree with. Maybe those in the women’s movement, who have of late used this word so frequently and passionately, will discover its true meaning and put it into practice.

Andrea Stewart

Spokane