It Is My Faith That Pushes Me to Speak Out and Move My Feet

I marched because on Nov. 9, 2016, I woke up wondering if I was safe in this country as a woman.

I marched because when I was 10 years old, a boy in my class slapped my face and my teacher's response was, "That means he likes you!"

I marched because my faith tells me that we are all God's children and we deserve equal treatment.

I marched because I live with three men and have been told again and again that it's good that they can "protect" me.

I marched because the government doesn't own my body and because no man should be able to grab me, no matter how famous he may be.

I marched because when I tell people that I want to be a minister, the response is often, "We need more lady pastors!"

I marched because I have a voice that deserves to be heard.

I marched because I am a woman and I deserve respect.

The Women's March on Washington was the first time I have felt part of a movement that will achieve something. It was a chance for me to stand up for the things that I believe in, things that we should not still be having to stand up for. I marched because when I look at my faith, what I see is a call to stand with the oppressed, with those who are not respected, with those who are turned away time and time again. I am one person, but I was one person amongst millions of people worldwide. When I recite the Lord's Prayer and say the words, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," I am reminded of the call to rise up and speak out against the statements and actions made that I know go against the beloved community that was intended for us.

I marched because I am a woman of faith, and my faith teaches all people deserve to be loved and respected and heard. It is my faith that pushes me to speak out and move my feet when the things that we deserve are not the things we get.