Thousands attend the Million Woman March on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Penn., Saturday, Oct. 25, 1997. Hundreds of thousands of black women, undaunted by light rain, walked through the city to show solidarity and draw attention to issues they say are ignored by some mainstream women's groups. At upperleft is the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (AP Photo/ Chris Lane)
On October 25, 1997, approximately 500,000 women convened in Philadelphia to participate in the Million Woman March. Modeled on the Million Man March that took place in Washington, D.C., two years earlier, the event focused on problems plaguing Black communities and the power of Black women to address them.
A lone sign is seen above the crowd during the Million Woman March in Philadelphia Saturday, Oct. 25, 1997. City officials have prepared for up to 700,000 women to attend the daylong event, which will focus on “repentance, resurrection and restoration.” (AP Photo/Chris Gardner)Winnie Mandela, former wife of South African President Nelson Mandela, right, and activist Dick Gregory raise their fists at the beginning of her keynote speech at the Million Woman March in Philadelphia, Penn., Saturday, Oct. 25, 1997. Hundreds of thousands of black women stood shoulder to shoulder at the march, showing their solidarity and drawing attention to issues they believe mainstream groups ignore. (AP Photo/ H. Rumph, Jr.)
Speakers included Jada Pinkett Smith, Sista Souljah, Winnie Mandela, former wife of South African President Nelson Mandela, and California Congresswoman Maxine Waters.
Waters famously said, “After today, we will never be the same.”
“America, please be placed on notice. We know who we are. We know what kind of power we have. We will act on that power.”
Clay Cane is an award-winning journalist, writer, radio host, and political commentator. A graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in African-American Studies, his work on race, culture, and politics have appeared in national publications, including the Washington Post, CNN, and The Grio. Clay is a regular political commentator on MSNBC.
