A group of 150 educators, mainly women, are walking from Tulsa to the state capitol to protest underfunding

On Sunday at the First Christian church of Chandler, some of the striking Oklahoma teachers went to a special service. The 150 teachers on the grueling march come from different faiths but they have developed a faith in each other.

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“I have bled on half of these women,” said Madeline Jacobsen, a third-grade teacher at Bell elementary. “Our feet are gross and you can’t reach them at the end of the day so someone literally has to help you wrap them and get your feet good.”

Many had never attempted anything so intense as a 110-mile march, in this case from Tulsa to the state capitol in Oklahoma City. But they were inspired to make a statement about the need to fund education properly.

“I planned to walk five miles each day because I didn’t think I could do it all,” Jacobsen said. “I have walked every single mile because I can do more with this group and this support than I can ever do alone.”

The marchers are mostly women, and they have formed a tight bond. Every night, they have dinner together and go over “pluses” and “deltas” of the day. Deltas are obstacles they would like to overcome. There is give and take. The women talk through issues and figure out solutions to make everyone feel included.

“Men wouldn’t be able to do things like this,” said 52-year-old Radonn Broeffle Musgrove, a 31-year teaching veteran. “Women are able to work these sort of things out.”

Broeffle Musgrove is one of only a few teachers on the march who participated in the last statewide strike in Oklahoma, back in 1990. She said she saw a big difference.

“I think the #MeToo movement has even really propelled us forward,” she said. “It’s so exciting.”

The women are driven forward not only by others on the march. Many members of communities on the route have stood by the side of the road, cheering the marchers on and handing out snacks and water.

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“People have asked me, ‘Why do you stay in Oklahoma?’” said 28-year-old Heather Cody, a single mother who was forced to move back in with her parents to make ends meet while teaching. “This has proved why we have stayed in Oklahoma: the community has helped us. We just had two great meals at the First Christian church of Chandler and every town we walk through it has gotten better and better.”

Together, the women feel they are building momentum. On Friday, the state legislature passed two measures expected to help education funding. The main goal remains.

“We aren’t gonna shut up, we aren’t done, this movement has gelled us together,” Jacobsen said. “We are ready to fight for our kids for the long haul. We have power together.”