Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present

by Ruth Ben-Ghiat

The march originated in Facebook pages created by individuals across America after Trump’s election. They asked people to demonstrate in defense of reproductive and other rights that the Trump administration would likely imperil. Over 400 organizations eventually partnered with the march, and its symbol—handcrafted pink pussy hats—turned Trump’s misogyny and history of sexual assault against him. With 400,000 to 500,000 people joining in Washington, DC, and 3 to 5 million participating in over 400 marches across the country, it was the largest mobilization in American history.60 It also changed the face of American politics. Many of the 3,000 women on the ballot in the fall 2018 midterm elections had been inspired by the Women’s March to enter politics. Over ninety women were voted into office, including a record number of women of color.