On Wednesday, participants in a national strike, dubbed “A Day Without A Woman,” didn’t go to work. But many women did — and they shared their reasons for doing so on social media.
The strike was a project by the organizers of the Women’s March on Washington, which took place Jan. 21, the day after President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Similar marches took place that day across the country.
Participants in the strike, which coincides with International Women’s Day, were encouraged to avoid both paid and unpaid work, avoid spending money — except at women and minority-owned businesses — and to wear red.
If you believe women’s rights are human rights, join us in wearing red as a sign of solidarity & revolutionary love… https://t.co/Y2gVlpcVPv— Women's March (@Women's March) 1488978004.0
Today and every day, I stand with all women. I will keep fighting for you. #ADayWithoutAWoman https://t.co/7hzRU9BMtb— Kamala Harris (@Kamala Harris) 1488988047.0
Women! Rise up! Change your profile picture in solidarity. #ADayWithoutAWoman https://t.co/uMfYJfkM5x— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa Milano) 1488955365.0
Striking in solidarity today #daywithoutawoman. Tell me why you strike! #Istrikefor. https://t.co/l5LDwCy4bQ— Gloria Steinem (@Gloria Steinem) 1488989328.0
But some women countered the protest by going to work. They shared their reasons for doing so with the hashtag #WeShowUp:
I'm working because empty desks don't help families or rescue children from trafficking. #weshowup… https://t.co/L69pVPyUUV— DV SpookyCat (@DV SpookyCat) 1488988920.0
This is what I do, all day, every day - saving lives!! This is how I honor International Women's Day! #weshowup https://t.co/QcaCdYuXrs— Sherri Hayes (@Sherri Hayes) 1488978654.0
#weshowup for work because not many of us are privileged enough to not have the income— Katie🌿🎋🌾🍄🌺 (@Katie🌿🎋🌾🍄🌺) 1488989339.0
I am taking care my two granddaughters while their parents are on a mission trip to Guatemala and it is my honor.… https://t.co/UyO1sauuLh— Gloria Baker ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Gloria Baker ⭐️⭐️⭐️) 1488989149.0
Thankful to have this job God gave me!! At work today! #weshowup #Notmyprotest— Rebecca Best-Mach (@Rebecca Best-Mach) 1488988681.0
To celebrate #InternationalWomensDay I put on my #biggirlpants and came to work, an hour early, b/c #weshowup https://t.co/eTIjdKqpHL— Meg (@Meg) 1488981912.0
Kudos to my doctor, Kelly Cole, and her entire female staff for showing up to work and taking great care of me! #weshowup— Kerri Mills (@Kerri Mills) 1488987275.0
I'm a proud #BlackConservativeWoman who is on my job today because we are #WomenWhoWork & #weshowup #Conservative— Darnella Speaks... (@Darnella Speaks...) 1488984632.0
#WeShowUp We can't afford to miss a Day's Pay. We respect our Obligations. We have people dependent on us.— Anne (@Anne) 1488988766.0
Getting ready to head into a contractor meeting with all men. Coz-Real women are standing strong today. #weshowup #NotMyProtest— MaryAnnNotGinger (@MaryAnnNotGinger) 1488988596.0
Working away on this beautiful day cause #weshowup #womenwork— Angela B. (@Angela B.) 1488988205.0
Real feminists bled and sacrificed so that I could get any job I want.I honor them by going to work today. #internationalwomensday #WeShowUp— 🌱🍄🥦🌶🥕Ladlien💗🐷🐣🐥🐮 (@🌱🍄🥦🌶🥕Ladlien💗🐷🐣🐥🐮) 1488989448.0
Some men used the hashtag to thank the women in their lives for their hard work.