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Take These Feminist Actions After A Trump Victory

by Alex Gladu

Beating projections and shocking onlookers worldwide, Donald Trump appears to have won the presidential election, securing the 270-plus electoral votes he needed to defeat Hillary Clinton Tuesday night, according to the Associated Press. Trump's win stunned much of the country, but it also troubled many groups of Americans, particularly women. Trump's sexist comments throughout the campaign worried many women all along, but now, it's time to focus on next steps: These simple-yet-meaningful feminist actions to combat Trump's sexism matter more now than ever before.

Over the past year and a half, it has been hard to ignore the numerous sexist comments that Trump has made throughout the duration of his campaign. He criticized Republican opponent Carly Fiorina's face. He retweeted disgusting messages about Clinton and Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly. Not to mention, a tape from 11 years ago revealed that Trump talked about kissing and grabbing women without their consent. Given these comments, it's hard to believe that Trump won Tuesday's election, but you can now expect to see him inaugurated in January.

Fortunately, you don't have to wait until January to take action. Clinton and, to a lesser extent, Bernie Sanders, built up strong feminist momentum throughout their campaigns. Despite Tuesday's results, that momentum shouldn't go to waste. Here are 37 feminist actions you can take right now.

  1. Follow the example of the above tweeter: Join a feminist or women's empowerment club on your college campus.
  2. If such a club doesn't exist, start one.
  3. Join a feminist book club, like Emma Watson's.
  4. Bring your sister, roommate, best friend, and coworker to the feminist book club with you.
  5. Bring your boyfriend to the feminist book club. (Pick up some major feminist brownie points along the way.)
  6. Start your own feminist book club. (Are you seeing a pattern here yet?)
  7. If a monthly book club is too much commitment for you, start by reading one feminist book of your choosing. Here are some suggestions.
  8. Lend that book to a friend. (You'll save them a trip to the bookstore and spread the message of female empowerment at the same time.)
  9. Rock a feminist T-shirt.
  10. Adorn your gym bag, winter coat, or favorite sweater with a feminist pin or button.
  11. Subscribe to Lena Dunham's Lenny Letter. (There's nothing like an entertaining, empowering e-newsletter to brighten your post-elections spirits.)
  12. Put a feminist bumper sticker on your car, bike, laptop, etc.
  13. Celebrate the women who won their elections on Tuesday, like Rep. Tammy Duckworth.
  14. Follow female legislators on social media.
  15. Retweet, share, repost, +1 female legislators on social media.
  16. Support the "Pussy Grabs Back" movement.
  17. Support the National Organization of Women. (You can donate, subscribe to the email list, or become involved with a local chapter.)
  18. Get involved with NARAL Pro-Choice America.
  19. Shop the Female Collective.
  20. Donate to the Female Collective's Uplift the Girls campaign. (Perfect timing — It's a December campaign to benefit homeless women.)
  21. Think like a feminist on Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday with these online options.
  22. Ask the right questions.
  23. Recall Aziz Ansari's explanation of feminism.
  24. Share Ansari's explanation of feminism. (On social media, in an email to a coworker, etc.).
  25. Re-read President Obama's essay on feminism.
  26. Share Obama's essay on feminism.
  27. Re-read Jennifer Lawrence's essay for Lenny Letter.
  28. Share JLaw's essay.
  29. Play Ladies Against Humanity at your next house party.
  30. Submit your own Ladies Against Humanity card.
  31. Watch these feminist movies.
  32. Host a feminist movie marathon to get through the list above.
  33. Buy feminist Christmas gifts for everyone on your list.
  34. Make a feminist New Year's resolution.
  35. Ask for a raise at work. (Remember: You've got to ask for what you want.)
  36. Prepare your letter for President Trump. (Write it now, but send it once he's in office.).
  37. Please don't move to Canada! Your fellow American women need you here.

At this point, there's really no telling what impact Trump's presidency will have on women in the United States. If his rhetoric is any indication, we're in for a bumpy four years. Let's not waste any time preparing.