My name is Lisa Mangum. The reasons I want to march, compound weekly as assaults on my sensibilities as a woman, a veteran, a former member of the military intelligence community, a former financial advisor, a student, a former exchange student and adult volunteer with exchange programs, and a person with disabilities just keep coming. I am profoundly grateful to be married to a husband who loves and supports me but, like the marvelous Sonya Huber who organized this for us, I have immune system issues (I basically don’t have one) so Washington DC was a non-starter. I planned to march in Portland, OR but faced a long slog through ice and blizzard conditions. Until I saw this option on Facebook, I was saddened that I would have no way to add my voice to those demanding accountability, demanding that all of us be served.

Though I may not be personally affected by many of these issues, I have repeatedly found myself in tears of impotence at being unable to protect those I love in the LGTBQ community, defend the reproductive rights of women, let everyone of every race know that they are valued and that their unique journeys matter, and that being disabled doesn’t mean that you don’t try EVERY SINGLE DAY to give the very best of yourself to your community. You see, I promised to serve and I took that very, very seriously. Bless you, Sonya, for creating this forum – you are helping us heal. We are America, we are watching, and will not settle for less than equitable treatment.