When I started working on this piece a week or two ago, I had not imagined that I could be writing this introduction from the America we live in now — an America where Donald Trump is going to become president. I'll admit I had some thoughts that I would now say were naive; I thought this piece would mostly be shots of women crying happy tears over the election of the first female president, with some breaks to discuss third party politics. I wasn't prepared for what actually happened. I think a lot of you reading this weren't, too.
Getting through this day after the election has been a bit of a struggle for me; I'm not sure what exactly to do next or where exactly to look for guidance. But I will say that the determination and conviction of the women in this photo series is keeping me going. In what is a low moment for so many of us, these women have retained the courage and conviction to fight. They show that we will not be stopped so easily.
I don't know what happens next. But I do know that I am so, so proud to stand alongside these women who will not give up.
Cecilia, 22, New Mexico
Before:
"I've felt a whole slew of emotional political feelings this election season, but recently my thought have been with my alma mater. I just recently graduated from Wellesley College, Hillary's alma mater (!!!), and feel so much joy in knowing that the women's college that grew my confidence and gave me my political science education might today be celebrating the election of an alum today!"
After:
"I'm beyond speechless today. Coming from a community of women, I truly believe that women can and deserve to accomplish everything. Our country made it so very clear today that many do not feel the same way. I feel weak and powerless, but I'm trying to find solace in my Wellesley community now as I did before today. We are devastated but holding each other close and loving each other immensely."
Christianna, 22, California
Before:
After:
"'We like Trump because he's not a politician' they say, then elect him for the most political job. Congrats Amerikkka, you played yourself."
Zoe, 25, Rhode Island
Before:
"This was my first time voting without my dad, who passed away the day Hillary won the nomination this summer. He was a lifelong HRC supporter, and dedicated every moment of the end of his life to trying to help her get to the White House. He instilled her values on me from the time I was a little girl and I feel so proud today to get to vote for someone he and I both believe in so deeply. "
After:
"I went to bed last night before the results came in because I couldn't believe what was happening. It didn't feel real until I watched Trump's acceptance this morning, during which I started crying. My heart is broken for all of the little girls who will now have to grow up in this country thinking that a rhetoric of hate is acceptable. "
Abby, 36 & L, 30, Maryland
Before:
"Abby Higgs and her refugee partner await the results of the election. L hopes to vote in the next election. They live happily together in Baltimore and are both nasty women."
After:
"L. and I found ourselves devastated after the news the last night and we wound up spending a lot of time comforting each other and ignoring, well, everything else. I wasn't able to get another photograph, though. She left early this morning to be with some of her friends from Iran."
Dayna, 27, Wisconsin
Before:
After:
"We needed to organize no matter who won. But now we need it more than ever. I'm talking vast movements for the causes we care about. I'm going to a rally against sexual assault tomorrow (Wednesday) night at UW Madison. Let the work begin."
Demetria, 37, New York
Before:
After:
"I feel very unsafe with Donald Trump as president. Those of us who believe in equality and justice have serious work to do, starting right now."
Lexie, 27, New York
Before:
After:
"In a matter of less than 24 hours, I went from feeling an unfathomable high to a never before found low. While the sting is real right now, I know that the only thing to do and the only thing that Hillary would want her followers to do is to pick up her baton right where she's leaving it for us and make this country the fair, equal, admirable, respectful, respectable country that we all deserve."
Hannah, 21, New York
Before:
"Despite all the negativity surrounding this election, my day was filled with joy and pride in electing not only our first female president but a president who I know will fight for the issues that matter to me. "
After:
"I feel sad, I feel defeated, but I also feel hopeful. This is just a chapter in the story and I have to believe that the next one will be better. May we learn from this and let it push us forward. "
Camilla, 30, Virginia
Before:
After:
"Stunned, exhausted, speechless."
Dinah, 30, New York
Before:
After:
"This election season has been a tumultuous year and a half in the making. The entire process has evolved into something that would've been unrecognizable even four years ago. With today's result, we're entering a completely new era and one that is uncertain for women and other marginalized groups. My only hope is that as a society we aim to care for one another and strive for communication that is driven by peace and compassion."
Clara, 70, California
Before:
After:
"Rough night for so many. I didn't sleep well. All my years as a political activist, I've never felt so sad for our country. I want to be hopeful, but the fact that a white man who denigrated so many vulnerable people in our society in a lewd, disgusting way that a women would never get away with — let alone be elected POTUS — should give us pause. We may see a set back like no other, certainly in my lifetime.
Living in the Bay Area, one can be protected somewhat from this hate of the other. But, unfortunately we are a microcosm of much of the country. On the bright side, we elected progressives, made weed legal and many other good propositions passed.
Looks like us senior women feminists will be passing the torch to you strong hopeful young women."
Patrice, 27, Pennsylvania
Before:
"8 years ago, I remember my college campus exploding with excitement when Obama won. And today, I get to start my day by exercising my right to vote for the 1st female president — but more importantly, exercise my right as an American to not vote for a candidate that goes against everything I stand for as a human being, who has used fear to surge feelings of hate, ignorant thinking & racism in many people. I've never cared that much about politics before this year, but watching parts of this country mimic Germany in the 1930s terrified me. I'm grateful to have the ability to vote for who I want without prosecution, to share this message online without fear of being arrested. And for the Veterans who have fought to provide me with the freedom to be so expressive about my viewpoints. Above all else I am grateful to be an American Citizen empowered to vote today."
After:
"I want to see this country rise up to the occasion and continue to be passionate about their government. Continue voting, volunteering, being an engaged citizen. Remember how you feel this morning — despite if your preferred candidate won or lost. I want to see this country not panic, cast blame, or slander. The world is watching and expecting our next Civil War. I hope that everyone in this country can rise up to the occasion, despite who they voted for, and prove to the world and each other that freedom of speech being demonstrated will not be the undoing America."
Kae, 27, Vermont
After:
"I'm in shock...terrified because of what this says about my country and my fellow citizens and what they think of people like me....female-bodied, queer, trans....I can't even imagine how people of color feel today. I'm in disbelief, and I'm scared."
Carly, 25, New York
Before:
After:
"We need empathy and compassion more than ever. Take care of yourself and support others in the way that you can. Right about now, I'm oscillating between immense rage and utter despair, but trying to funnel it towards something constructive today. We have a long way to go."
Deb, 57, Florida
Before:
"Feeling very anxious right now…I have two daughters and want to see our first woman president elected for them."
After:
"I can’t believe I’m waking up to this news. I am heartsick and so scared for our country."
Meghan, 23, New Hampshire
Before:
After:
"This whole election season, I kept saying to myself and others that love will prevail and I feel like hate won last night. I'm devastated, I'm angry, I'm heartbroken but I'm holding onto love as tightly as I can. We will rise."
Nancy, 23, New York
Before:
After:
"This election has further reaffirmed to me that progress should neither be assumed nor guaranteed. I will continue to fight, harder and stronger than before; I choose to move forward and above."
Heather, 27, New York
Before:
After:
"This election season has been exhausting, and I have been so excited for it to end... I'm now in shock. I am terrified of a President Trump, and I don't know how to even begin to process this."
Andrea & Laurenne, 36, California
"We are absolutely devastated and in shock. We voted with so much hope and love in our hearts, and now we feel fear and anxiety and shock about the world and our fellow Americans. This is the first time we're crying over an election result."
Gabrielle, 34, New York
Before:
After:
"I want to be more hopeful, furious, organized than scared. But I'm not there yet."
Emma, 29, Vermont
Before:
After:
"Today I'm giving myself the space to cry, eat, run, donate to Planned Parenthood, maybe read a little bit. I'm hugging my partner — who is black and not American — and calling my siblings — who are white, black, Vietnamese, not American, and queer. I'm thinking about all of the sexual assault survivors in this country and aching.
But tomorrow? Tomorrow I will fight."
