The most surprising element of Saturday’s Million Man March was its women. The 20th anniversary celebration of 1995’s landmark gathering included women of all racial origins, religions, creeds and cultures.

They filled the National Mall from the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. Christian women wore jeans. Muslim women donned veils. Palestinian women dressed in head scarves. Native American women appeared in their traditional clothing. Latino women spoke of justice for all people of color. White women also joined the crusade.

The thousands of women present last weekend were a much larger presence than at the original Million Man March. Twenty years ago, the Million Man March was planned as a day of atonement. Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged women not to attend, saying it was a day solely for Black men to affirm their commitment to family and community.

But last weekend’s mass gathering on the National Mall was noticeably different:Women were at the forefront of the occasion dubbed “Justice or Else.” From beginning to end, women made their presence felt.

Women stood next to their husbands and boyfriends. Women held their babies.Women waved signs that read: “BLACK LIVES MATTER.” Women said they traveled from all across the country to offer moral support for African American men.

Holding a sign that said, “Black is Still Beautiful,” Howard University student Jalisa Goodwin said she feels strongly about her role as an African American woman and proudly supports Black men.

“If you look at the history of liberation struggles, Black women have always been a part of the movement and have always been leading the movement,” Goodwin said. “As a sister, I say if I want to be loved and I want to be supported, then I have to love and support. The intersection of being Black and being a woman is where we meet, and when we meet, we advocate for each other.”