HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Holland resident Natasha Rietveld will be among thousands joining the Jan. 18, 2020, women’s march in Washington D.C., with her two daughters and a family friend. Rietveld helped organize one of Holland’s four marches, which drew more than 400 participants. (Listen to the complete interview.)
“We feel very strongly about a lot of the issues that our citizens face — not just our citizens, but citizens of other countries — immigrants, refugees climate change, women’s rights, the ERA , proposed cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security,” Rietveld said. “I work in the health care field, and that’s just huge for my clients.”
The winter weather warning caused Holland’s march to be canceled, but the Saugatuck-Doughlas march will go on. Downtown restaurants are hosting “Toast to Tenacity” brunches, featuring speakers from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Participants will find fire pits Beery Field for community building and networking purposes, and an intention-setting workshop at noon, at Douglas United Church of Christ, 45 Wall St.
The Saugatuck-Douglas march steps off at 1 p.m. from Beery Field, ending in downtown Saugatuck at the Coast 236 restaurant.
Rietveld said she’s gone to a women’s march every year since they started, first with adult friends, and now with her daughters. She said she’s seen a growing number of women and men joining the marches, and believes the visible presence is a sign that government must be held accountable. She said the marches have given women the confidence to run for public office.
The marches are about more than walking around and chanting. She said the marches remind people of what is important — and, she said, reminds her of her immigrant-father’s experience when he came to Holland from The Netherlands.
Her father arrived in Holland in 1959, she said, having survived German occupation during World War II. He surprised his teacher, she said, by showing he was fluent in French. His memories of The Netherlands differed widely from those of Holland residents who were descended from earlier U.S. settlers.
The march is also comforting, Rietveld said, because it is a demonstrable show of support for key issues.
More than anything, she said, this year’s march is important as a way to show her daughters that their voices matter.
