I am so proud of my fellow women and non-binary people

I am 20 years old, Chinese-American, and never protested before, but with my parents' support I went to the women's march in San Fransisco. We arrived at 9:30 but couldn't get in because there was too many people. <br><br>We ended up walking miles to get to the park where we could watch the livestream. I am so proud of the speakers, the organization, and the people. But I am most proud of the women who braved the marches despite their disabilities, despite having young children to take care of, despite the police and media attempts to discredit and undermine us. <br><br>I saw children in strollers, men who brought their daughters, husbands who brought their wives, parents with their sons, older men/women walking with canes, people with walkers/disability scooters, people from the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, people in wheelchairs, people with service animals...and so many babies. <br><br>I am proud of the women who couldn't go, but watched from home or work. I am proud of the women who helped organize but couldn't go themselves. I am proud of every single person who went. <br><br>This was my first protest, and despite the freezing cold and the rain and the miles of walking and the initial disappointment, I have never felt so happy and empowered in my entire life. <br><br>I was a shy and passive girl just a few months ago but now I feel like I can conquer the world if I wanted to. The sense of comradery was amazing. We all became sisters and brothers. We picked each other up. I power-fisted with a little girl. I hugged people I didn't know. I took selfies with a little boy who was too short to see the screen, along with his father. <br><br>Never have I felt this way before. Never have I felt such pride in being a woman. I am no longer ashamed of my gender or ethnicity. My fellow human beings are amazing. <br><br>Thank you to every single person who went. That was amazing, and I will never forget this for the rest of my life.<br><br>Edit: Thanks to those who pointed out that this is a global movement! I'm proud of people all over the world, not just the USA.