This article was originally published in The Examiner on Jan. 19, 2017.
By Eleanor Skelton
Staff Writer
The Women’s March on Washington grew overnight from a Facebook event started by a retired attorney in Hawaii to well over 200,000 anticipated attendees and supporters.
Locally, retired teacher Shelby Smith is leading a sister march in downtown Beaumont on the same day, Saturday, Jan. 21.
“It’s basically a voice for the people. It’s not going to be a protest for just one thing,” Smith said. “It’s to show our solidarity with the Women’s March in Washington.”
Smith explained that the march is focused on raising awareness for social justice, women’s rights, healthcare, the LGBT community, education and the environment. “All of the things most progressive people are interested in are the kind of things this march stands for,” she said.
Smith began organizing Jan. 12. Initially, she considered going to stay with her niece in Washington or attending the sister march in Denton.
“Then I started thinking about it and realizing how poorly represented the southern part of Texas is, and I thought we need to be represented down here in Beaumont,” she said.
She spread the word with flyers at the MLK parade in Beaumont and another parade in Woodville.
“It’s a place for us to communicate how we feel to our congressmen, that we’re out there and we’re not going to go away,” Smith said. “I’ve been telling everyone this is not a protest, this is not something that is antagonistic. We want to carry our voice and make them louder than the lobbyists and make sure that everyone is counted.
“There has been so much negativity in the last year that I don’t want to feed into that. This is nonpartisan and bigger than any political figure or politician, this about how we want to look toward our future in a positive way.”
Smith is bringing letters to Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz and Rep. Randy Weber for attendees to sign.
Smith is expecting between 50-100 attendees, based on social media response, and hopes that a coalition will form from this event.
The women plan to meet at Betty Smith Creative Works at 2485 Calder Street and make signs between 8 and 10 a.m.
The march will begin at 10 a.m.
Eleanor Skelton 