13 Things To Do After The Women's March

Trump has only been president for five days, and it's already tempting to stuff our ears with cotton and hum until the next four years are over. But as infuriating and downright scary as his administration may be, complacency impedes progress just as much as conservative legislation by allowing it to pass unchecked.

Fortunately, there's an easy way to keep from falling prey to complacency: Read the news every day. You don't have to spend hours scrolling through the BBC Twitter feed, but make it a point to read at least three (reputable) news articles each day. It doesn't matter whether you read an article with every meal or get them all out of the way in the morning, but the important part is not to ignore things that make you uncomfortable. (You can also try inoculating yourself against fake news while you're at it.)

"Feminism" is still a dirty word to many Americans, and despite popular perception of so-called "social justice warriors," this includes the younger generation. The best way to break down stigmas is by being open about the subject, so when gender equality comes up in conversation, don't shy away from the word "feminist." Use it.

Planned Parenthood has been at the center of efforts to restrict abortion in the United States. Mike Pence's unrelenting fight to defund the organization, which provides abortions among many other healthcare services, began in 2007, and 10 years later, that same man is now vice president. Given that women are demonstrably hurt when Planned Parenthood clinics shut down, it's more important than ever to support the organization and others like it. If you can afford it, donate — maybe even set up a small recurring donation.

Even if you personally don't think you'd have an abortion, support the right of other people to make that decision for themselves. Research has shown that anti-abortion legislation doesn't reduce the actual number of procedures performed — it just makes them more dangerous, forcing people seeking them to turn to illegal methods.

To support abortion rights, consider volunteering at your local clinic, donating to organizations like NARAL, voting for pro-choice politicians, or starting an abortion access fund.

Political actions like letter writing or calling representatives are important to making your voice heard. Unfortunately, it's also kind of boring and/or nerve-wracking to do by yourself. Get together some of your friends to take action with you — and make a party of it while you're at it.

The ACLU has been defending civil liberties since 1920, and they've already requested documents regarding Trump's conflicts of interest as president. Consider donating to the organization or checking out their "Take Action" page.

"Call Them In" is perfect for people who don't know how to directly oppose legislation. As the network explains on its website, "We do the research, write the scripts, and supply the numbers — all you need to do is make the call." Check out their website here.

The most direct way to influence politics, of course, is to run for office. That's easier said than done, especially when you're a woman, but there are plenty of online guides to getting started. She Should Run and Emily's List are organizations dedicated to helping women get elected, so they're a good place to begin.

If you live in a traditionally liberal state, your opinions will probably be in the majority. Encourage your friends in conservative states to speak out in favor of progress, because their representatives are the most worrisome.

Town hall meetings provide the public with opportunities to ask questions of government officials, and according to Indivisible's guide to political action, these meetings are an effective way of influencing politics and getting media attention. Make a goal to attend at least four this year — that's only one every three months.

Since the election, a number of political action-based newsletters have been established. These email lists provide daily, weekly, or monthly ways to influence local and national politics, and they're sometimes tailored to individual interests. Examples include Two Hours a Week, Daily Action Alerts, the Women's Guard, and more. Be sure to keep up with the Women's March's First 100 Days campaign as well.

Prior to the actual event, the Women's March was criticized for focusing on issues specific to white women while ignoring those affecting women of color. Three prominent organizers — Tamika D. Mallory, Carmen Perez, and Linda Sarsou — were subsequently brought on, and a set of "unity principles" were published which made an effort to include people of color and other minorities; however, despite the intentions of the organizers, the personal experiences of many marchers still showed that many of the march's more privileged participants still have a lot of work to do when it comes to checking that privilege.

This is just one example — and it is so, so important to give voices that might otherwise be silenced the opportunity to be heard. Hold other people (and yourself) accountable, be sensitive, and remember that you haven't lived the same experiences as someone else. Don't dismiss what they have to say, and try not to get defensive. Instead, listen closely and recognize when to step aside and let other people speak.

Listen to the former FLOTUS up there and keep your spirits up. Given the number of people that attended the Women's March, Trump's presidency is being closely watched, and midterm elections are less than two years away (so start preparing now). In the words of the esteemed High School Musical, we're all in this together.