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The Best "Nevertheless She Persisted" Tweets

by Marissa Higgins
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images News/Getty Images

When Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell silenced Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Tuesday night after she attempted to speak on the Senate floor, it was perhaps inevitable that people everywhere would be furious on Warren's behalf — leading, of course, to a storm of "nevertheless, she persisted" tweets hitting social media. It isn't just Warren, you see; it's women. And it's not even just women — it's every marginalized group who has ever been repeatedly silenced by systemic and structural sexism. It shouldn't be surprising, but the response to this specific event ironically speaks volumes. We will not be silenced.

Many social media users are reclaiming McConnell's words to Warren. His defense of his invoking an obscure and rarely enforced rule (a rule which, many pointed out, did not get enforced during an incident in 2015 when Ted Cruz accused McConnell of lying) was as follows: "Senator Warren was giving a lengthy speech. She had appeared to violate the rule. She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted."

Those last three words became iconic, as people all over the country and the world reclaimed them. Some have used them as an opportunity to celebrate women who have come before us and pushed forward in spite of oppression and marginalization. Other users have turned the phrase on its head, using dry humor and wit as means of pointing out how ridiculous the patriarchy is. Still others are taking the opportunity to thank Warren and other female politicians, like Hillary Clinton and Wendy Davis, for their work and dedication.

Check out the following 35 tweets for inspiration to keep on the good fight and never stop persisting.

1Malala's Fight For Education

2Rosa Parks' Activism

3Harriet Tubman's Incredible Bravery

4Women Who Rally Across The World

5People Who Are Still #ReadyForHillary

6Representing Muslim Pride

7Reinforcing That Black Lives Matter

8Commemorating The First Black Major-Party Candidate for President

9Activism Across Generations

10The Bravest Children Around

11These Women To Emulate

12Because This Is Basically The History of Feminism

13Beause Women Keep Fighting

14Wendy Davis' Devotion To Women's Health

15Susan B. Anthony Never Stopped Fighting

16Elizabeth Coleman Is An Unsung Hero

17This Phrase Is Tattoo Material

18Also, Tombstone Material

19Why Not Cross-Stich It, Too?

20Allies Are Behind This Phrase, Too

21Put It On A T-Shirt!

22To Support The Resistance

23Because We've All Heard A Similar Sentiment

24At Least Once Or Twice

25So Put It In Your Twitter Bio

26Or Write It Into A Dystopian Novel

27And Remember To Thank Black Women For Their Work

28And Honor Princess Leia

29And Really, Put It On Your Tombstone

30And Here Is A Shirt!

31Winona LaDuke Is Another Unsung Hero For Feminists

32Cecile Richards Is A Contemporary Icon

33These Words Are Perfect For Reclaiming

34Because Literally All Women Relate

35Yes, Really, Every Single One