Emily Monosson, author of the forthcoming Natural Defense, marched at the DC Women's March on January 21, 2017. Inspired by the number of scientists that marched, she collected photos and a few words from scientists who marched around the country. This blog originall appeared on Monosson's blog and is reposted here with permission.
Here’s a photo of 6 scientists marching in Helena, Montana (pop. 30,000) with 10,000 fellow marchers (1 of every 100 Montanans!), at 19 degrees F. I am a hydrogeologist. With me in this photo are a wetland scientist/biologist, a fluvial geomorphologist, a restoration hydrologist, another hydrogeologist, and a freshwater researcher and educator. We’re part of a larger Montana group called the Water Babes, which until now focused on mentoring and networking. This is our first political action, and it happened organically. No one declared, “the Water Babes must march.” We just did.
This is a photo of me, Nicole Gasparini, a geomorphologist from New Orleans, LA, at the Washington, D.C. march. I am holding my 2 year old daughter Florence. I marched because I want my son and daughter to know- all children to know- that regardless of a person’s sex, sexual orientation, skin color, cultural background, religion, education, age, place of birth, ability or disability- all people deserve respect. All people deserve opportunities. All people deserve health care. We all need to stand up and support each other. Facts are facts. There are no alternative facts. Science is real, not a partisan agenda. Science makes our lives better, and I want a better world for all our children.
Judith S. Weis: Marine Biology and Ecotoxicology. I marched in Washington, D.C.
I marched because I am very concerned about the future with a climate-denying, webpage censoring, federal-scientist gagging, first amendment-ignoring, “alternative-fact”
supporting group running the country.
We marched in Chicago. I am an immunologist. My thoughts: I didn’t carry a sign. Instead, I carried my 5 year old daughter who wants to be a plant scientist and deserves to have dominion over her body. Her parents will fight like hell to make sure she gets those things.
E. LaPorte: Science Outreach Manager. Ann Arbor Women’s March.
Sarah Noble: I am a lunar geologist with a PhD in geological sciences. I marched in DC.
Here is an image of me (“Make America Think Again”) at the Women’s March. I am an evolutionary biologist at Colorado State University. We marched in Denver.
Emily Monosson, Toxicologist, with daughter Sophie, future scientist. I planned on marching shortly after the election, for women’s rights. But when making a sign, I wanted to say something about the lack of regard for science by this administration and its supporters which saddens and frustrates me. I had been feeling helpless, wondering what I could do. This was the first time I had ever attended anything like this. It will not be the last. Knowing so many are willing to speak out for a better future…is hopeful. We marched in DC.
Janice Bossart: Evolution and Ecology. Marched in Washington, D.C. Science is not a liberal conspiracy!
Jeannine Cavender-Bares: We marched in DC. My field is plant ecology and evolution; University of Minnesota, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior
I am thinking about how to train the next generation of citizens and scientists in a world where we all depend on science but its complexities are increasingly difficult to traverse. My students are discussing the issues of when science can change people’s behaviors and how we generate and communicate science that is credible, salient and legitimate. Despite the current Administration’s disregard for science and access to scientific information, it is is critical for managing a habitable planet. The other person in the photo is my daughter, who is very interested in science, particularly in how to generate clean water in remote areas.
See more pictures and continue reading the full post here.
