By Irena Choi Stern     

Jan. 25, 2017:  A group organized by Eleanor Gustafson, numbering more than two dozen women, boarded a Metro-North train on January 21 to join the NYC Women's March, which began at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza near the United Nations. It was just one of several Bronxville groups to take part in the march.

"The Women's March in New York could not have been more exhilarating—a roar that we need to move forward and to do more," Gustafson said. "My favorite sign—wish I'd taken a photo—was held by a man and said, 'I'm With Her,' with arrows pointing in all directions at the women around him!"

The stated mission of the march was "to provide a safe and accepting platform for supporters of equality to rally and march in promotion of civil rights for every human regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, religion, or creed."

A number of the women said their children had asked them to "be careful," worried about possible political reprisals or even domestic terrorism. But there were no incidents, no arrests, and the sun emerged from behind the clouds, providing marchers with beautiful weather.

Several of the women in the group talked about the reason they joined the march:

Madeline Eckett Oden: "I have never marched before, as I somehow slept through the '60s. I felt compelled to march simply to stand up and be counted among the silent majority who think civility matters, as does the right of every person to be judged by his or her character alone."

Betsy Howard: "What a thrilling opportunity to join other Bronxville women in this historic event! Being heard and counted with so many others was both moving and reassuring in these dark times."

Sheryl Donner: "I marched with audacity of hope that our President would...take notice of all the people who must be heard…listen with an ear for justice, equality, compassion…and, as President of all Americans, do no harm in policy or practice."

Randi Cappadora, whose husband, Bob McGann, also joined in the march: "I marched as a proud American in support of individualism, equality, and freedom for all. Our very basic rights and values are now at risk (especially for women and minorities). Solidarity equals power. I was so proud to be a part of such a huge, strong, yet peaceful, demonstration."

Abby Reardon: "I marched because I am still here. I believe in our system of government and the rule of law and its protection of human rights of all the people. I believe this new administration and Congress now report to all of us and must show respect for the rule of law, their offices, and the dignity of the institutions they lead."

Leslie Bitas: "I am personally offended by this misogynistic man and I am old enough to remember when the rights we tenuously hold onto did not exist. I marched not just for women's rights but for human rights of all vulnerable populations."

Chris Zufelt: "I took part in the march because I felt it was important to stand with like-minded people and send the signal that fundamental issues and rights cannot be ignored or overturned." 

Lorraine Shanley: "I went out of a sense of obligation, as a supporter of equal and civil rights. But the day turned into so much more--an oddly joyous march of solidarity and citizenship."

Among others from Bronxville who participated in the march were Ayuko Mueller and her two young daughters. "We marched for all the girls in my daughters' generation," she said.

Pictured here: Top photo (L to R): Sharini Withana, Irena Choi Stern, Gemma Clarke Sands, Randi Cappadora, Abby Reardon, Anna Foley, Betsy Howard, Chris Zufelt, Bob Cappadora, Mimi McKenna, and Ellen Blais (photo by Eleanor Gustafson); second photo (L to R): Ellen Blais, Madeline Oden, Leslie Bitas, Maureen Barton, Betsy Howard, Chris Zufelt, Gemma Clarke Sands, Abby Readon, and Irena Choi Stern (photo by Bruce Stern); missing from the two photos: Eleanor Gustafson, Cathy Olian Anderson, Lorraine Shanley, Laura Hyde, Martha Bergold, and Jennifer Lescott; third photo: Ayuko Mueller and her daughters.