Modern-Day Civil Rights Movement

As a young girl, I was taught not to get involved when it came to discussing equal rights between the sexes. The adults in my life didn't see gender inequality as an issue and whenever brought up, it was quickly shut down. I was taught that life isn't fair and if you can't accept that, then tough luck.

In today's world, it can be easy to forget that the effort for civil equality is far from over. We see it as a movement from the past. Simply, other people's work that's over with and done, just another page in the history book.

However, with the dawn of a new presidency, there has also come an uprising in women's rights activists. With women's healthcare and reproductive rights in jeopardy due to President Trump's conservative agenda, a new modern-day civil rights movement has set forth.

With astounding numbers and peaceful protest, millions of women across the nation gathered to march and express their beliefs in support of women. Jack O'Dwyer published an article in a PR blog that caught my attention about this issue.

This march not only interested me as a woman, but as a PR individual as well. Interestingly, I learned from O'Dwyer's PR Blog is that approximately 80 percent of individuals working in PR are, in fact, women. I am inspired by the solidarity between the peaceful protesters as well as how this day of defiance affects public relations. There is so much relevance between this act of symbolic protest and the world of public relations and in my opinion, this directly affects people on both sides of the issue.

Notably, this is wonderful PR for Planned Parenthood. As a women's healthcare clinic at risk of being defunded, having millions of people marching in support of your company is great for business. I saw many pictures and videos of individuals holding signs with Planned Parenthood's company logo, tons people wore hot pink in unity with this organization, and there were many that spoke on behalf of the healthcare clinic, as well.

On Planned Parenthood's website, I found a press release discussing the marches that took place, which, from a PR standpoint, is exactly what I would have recommended. Promote this story, stand with the supporters, and get the word out.

On the other hand, for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, this is not good PR. Since they wish to cut federal funding for Planned Parenthood and regulate women's reproductive rights, having this many people speak out against their cause is damaging to their agenda. Also, this all took place the day immediately following the presidential inauguration, which took them out of the spotlight and gave attention to the opposition.

According to O'Dwyer, "PR people must not shrink from this battlefield but must try to insert their historic role of being mediators." I'm interested to see what steps both sides continue to take in regards to public relations. Following this new age movement is definitely a learning experience for me, both as a woman in the U.S. and as a woman in PR. I haven't seen any action taken by Trump's staff to manage this ongoing issue, therefore the ball is in their court and they must respond.