Duquesne Contingent Attending Women’s March on Washington

More than 50 faculty, staff and students from Duquesne have filled a bus going to Washington, D.C., to participate in the Jan. 21 Women’s March on Washington.

The event is a grassroots effort that brings together women from around the country in the nation’s capital and various U.S. cities to bring attention and awareness to the protection of women’s rights, including safety, health and family issues.

Dr. Allyson O’Donnell, assistant professor of biological sciences and a member of the Women in Science organization on campus, is part of the Duquesne contingent.

“I am attending the march to make sure that women, scientists and other groups that were disparaged, discredited or marginalized during the president-elect’s campaign have a voice, and to let this administration know that we will work to protect our rights and freedoms,” said O’Donnell.

The bus trip was organized by the Faculty Social Justice Association. Coordinator Dr. Fred Evans, professor of philosophy, said that there was a waiting list for the bus and other participants are planning to travel to D.C. to participate on their own.

“Bigotry and injustice against women or any other group is not an acceptable part of a democratic society. This is in accord with the values of U.S. universities and we must uphold those values,” said Evans. “The march is also an opportunity for students—and the rest of us—to learn about citizenship by practicing it.”