Women’s March, organized in days last year, returning to Modesto bigger, stronger

Women’s March Modesto is back, with hopes of becoming even bigger and better than last year’s impressive debut.

The nonpartisan event, coming Saturday, will feature a march down Modesto’s McHenry Avenue, with a unity rally, booths and music at Graceada Park, the ending point.

“We have such tremendous community support. It couldn’t get any better, honestly,” said chief organizer Patty Hughes, who spearheaded last year’s event as well.

Although led by women, plenty of men attended the festive and peaceful demonstration last time, and are expected again this year.

“Men are not only allowed, but encouraged,” Hughes said. “It’s a wonderful outpouring of support to see all the husbands, brothers and sons. We just love it.”

Last year’s march, put together at the last minute, drew nearly 1,000 people, many with handmade signs and home-knit pussyhats in an upbeat happening punctuated by chants, singing and passing vehicles honking horns in support.

How will this year’s event be different?

• Organizers had a year to prepare, not just days. People will see lots more entertainment in the park, including speeches by Sen. Cathleen Galgiani, D-Manteca and others, music, and poetry readings by Modesto poet laureate Stella Beratlis and Gillian Wegener.
• “Hear Our Vote“ is this year’s theme for events across the United States, including 18 sister marches throughout California. Organizers want to “harness the political power” of women and men, Hughes said, as we head toward important midterm elections.
• Main sponsors are the Stanislaus County Commission for Women, Planned Parenthood Mar Monte and the Democratic Women’s Club of Stanislaus County. But too many other community groups than can be mentioned here also signed on to help, from the Haven Women’s Center to the League of Women Voters of Stanislaus County, among many more.

People can gather at the starting point, Modesto’s Briggsmore and McHenry avenues, at 10 a.m. Saturday, with the march expected to head downtown about 11 a.m. and the rally and other attractions following at Graceada Park.

Those interested in helping can show up to a Volunteer Meeting and Sign Party at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at McHenry Bowl, 3700 McHenry Ave. Knitting and crochet tutors will give free advice on making pussyhats, or caps with corners resembling cat ears in protest of President Donald Trump’s infamous remarks, captured on an Access Hollywood video, about grabbing women.

For more information, call Hughes at 209-303-4042, email WomensMarchModesto@gmail.com or see the march’s Facebook page..

Garth Stapley: 209-578-2390

This story was originally published January 15, 2018 at 2:36 PM with the headline "Women’s March, organized in days last year, returning to Modesto bigger, stronger."