David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Cleveland women march

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Hundreds of women stood in the snow to cheer female empowerment on Public Square Saturday.

These Clevelanders were not going to let a snowstorm stop the Women’s March Cleveland.

They wore pink hats and carried decorated signs demanding respect.

“I am a woman, not an object.”

“Trust women.”

“This sign is too small for all the reasons why we march.”

Cleveland Police estimated about 750 people attended the march, which was organized by Cleveland activist Kathy Wray Coleman. The crowd included plenty of young people, a few men and a handful of small children.

A high schooler who said she’s medically allergic to the cold made her way out to the march. Some folks dressed up in red capes from the Handmaid’s Tale. A dog even showed up, with a sign attached to his collar protesting catcalls.

The march featured a diverse group of speakers, including members of the African American, Asian, Native American, Latina, LGBTQ and transgender communities.

Speakers called for continued support of women's rights. They called for more empathy toward immigrants, and showed support for abortion access.

Public officials, including Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, state Sen. Nickie Antonio of Lakewood and state Rep. Juanita Brent took a turn on the stage.

“We stand on the shoulders of women who have taught us how important it is to have equal rights, to have a seat at the table,” Antonio said.

“This moment is about us. This is about the women who felt like their voices were being muted, you are being heard today,” Brent said.

Many attendees, in typical Clevelander fashion, shrugged off the impending snowstorm and said they were only a little worried. The precipitation really started falling at noon when speakers were still rallying the crowd, and continued falling hard as marchers took to the streets.

“We love the snow here in Cleveland,” said Grant Senger, 22, of Lakewood, as he marched beside his mom.

Amara Alberto, 23 of Lakewood, said she was a tad concerned about the snow.

“And then I thought, ‘I’ve got layers. I’ll be fine,’” she said.

Meet more of the folks who braved the snow and cold to march in the Women’s March Cleveland below.

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Katherine Hartig, 16, of Solon

"I think that it's my responsibility especially with the platform that I have as a cis(gendered) white woman to help to represent and bring light to the women who are far underrepresented in the community," she said. "Regardless of the weather, if it were pouring rain, if it were a hailstorm, I would still be here. Because I think it's my job."

Hartig later took the stage as part of Solon High School's Girl Up.

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Kailey Gielink, 16, Solon

“I’m actually medically allergic to the cold,” Gielink, also a member of Solon’s Girl Up, said. “I made an effort to come out here today because I know that this is such a unique experience, especially in Cleveland.”

She called the women’s march “a special opportunity to be able to represent women and fight for equality through such a unique event that’s local.”

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Peter DeGolia, 64, Cleveland Heights

“I don’t think that the government should be telling women what they can and cannot do in terms of their healthcare. They don’t tell me as a man that I can’t do something or I can do something. I don’t think they ought to be doing the same for women,” DeGolia said. “I’d prefer it to be warm and sunny and not snowy but no, this is an opportunity to speak out so whether it was snowing or not, I’d be here.”

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Elizabeth Serrin, 35, Solon

Serrin said she brought her two daughters, ages 6 and 9, so they could know that they can achieve anything a man can.

“It’s just really important to us to set a good example for our girls growing up,” she said.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Prisella Valdez, 16, Middleburg Heights

For Valdez, the women’s march movement represents many issues.

“Abortion. Planned Parenthood, immigration, issues for trans women, issues for gay women, issues for women of color, issues for disabled women.”

She said she was a little worried about the snow, but was happy that folks were enduring it.

“I think that it’s even cooler, that we’re marching in the snow,” she said.

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Toyin Olabode, 19, Cleveland

“I decided to come out today because women’s rights are very important to me and my friends as well,” Olabode said. “Women have been doing this forever. We’ve been advocating for these same rights for 70 years now, so being young, it’s just really important to me to keep it going and not stop until we get what we want and what we need.”

Olabode, a Case Western Reserve University freshman originally from Columbus, said that she was inspired by the inclusivity of the Women’s March.

“It’s about including all women, and not just rich women not just white women, not just cis-gendered women but including everyone because we all experience these troubles and struggles together,” she said.

She was only a little worried about the snow.

“I saw a sign today that was like, ‘Freezing for freedom,’ and that’s exactly what we’re out here doing.”

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Don't Edit

David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com