Event poster

A local group is planning a march on Dickson Street on Saturday, April 28, followed by a rally in front of the Fayetteville Town Center in support of women’s rights.

The event is part of a coordinated effort by UNITE Women, a new national grassroots organization founded to “push back against anti-woman legislation, policies and rhetoric.”

The local rally will also focus on raising awareness for the Equal Rights Amendment, a piece of legislation proposed in 1923 that would guarantee women and men have equal rights under the law. The amendment never became part of the constitution, though it has been ratified by 35 of the necessary 38 states. Arkansas is one of the states that never ratified the amendment.

“We really want to energize the women base, and get people involved,” said Kelly Eubanks, one of the organizers of the rally. “A lot of our focus locally is trying to raise awareness for the Equal Rights Amendment, ultimately, to get it ratified in Arkansas.”

Participants will gather at the Walton Arts Center at 11 a.m., and a march will begin up Dickson Street shortly after. From there, the group will head south on Block Avenue and end at the Fayetteville Town Center where a rally will be held.

Musicians Susan Shore and Carol Widder will perform.

More information is available on Facebook.

Scheduled speakers

Kelly Eubanks – Unite Against the War on Women State Organizer
Ken Aden – US Congressional Candidate, District 3
Joanna Pollock – Activist
Kate Guendling – Minister at Unity of Fayetteville
Lindsley Smith – City of Fayetteville (“Women’s Equality Awareness Day” proclamation)
Maria Hicks – Candidate for Justice of the Peace, District 7
Sue Madison – Arkansas State Senator
David Whitaker – Candidate for State Representative, District 85
Diana Gonzales Worthen – Candidate for State Senate, District 7
Susan Rausch – Pat Walker Health Center
Joyce Hale – VP of League of Women Voters of Washington County