DORÉ

On how they are feeling right now…
NICOLE: I woke up the day of the inauguration with tears rolling down my face, and it became real. But at the same time, I feel like it was almost the closure of my grief and I was able to finally move on and leverage the fight and be ready for what’s next and understand there is a movement happening. Trump talks about bringing this country together, and he just might, but it might be against him!

ERIN: Seeing this president inaugurated and then going into the march, where it feels like that was such a momentous first step, for all of us to come together, but it is just a first step. I was really impressed that the speakers touched on that yesterday. That while we’re all gathered together, this is just an energizing moment and the next thing is going to be taking action against the attack on women’s rights, the environment, civil rights, LGBT the list, unfortunately, goes on. It was good to energize with everyone and then be here.

On dealing with an administration that doesn’t believe in what they do…
NICOLE: We just have to be working closer with our state and local government and really making sure everyone truly understands that your voice matters! And it matters more the closer you get to your community. So get involved, run for city council, or whatever it might be, because those are people whose voices are heard and really make the impact.

CLAIRE: There are certain benefits to being in new media right now. There’s a lot of mistrust in the mainstream media, and we are that but we’re also not, so I think we’re in an interesting position to get to know people, tell their stories and make them widely known. That’s the most important thing for me right now.

On activism being sexy again…
ERIN: I do feel like activism is in vogue so I’m really excited to see people from two years old who are carrying signs, these little kids, to people who have been working in politics their entire lives, to grandmas and everyone here saying, I’m going to do something and participate in our democracy.

CLAIRE: Feminism was kind of a dirty, stigmatizing word for a long time and carried connotations that had nothing to do with what feminism is, which is just human rights. There is something weird in it being trendy now, but it’s also wonderful to see people understanding that it just means equality, and really pushing for it and saying it proudly.

On what we can do next…

CLAIRE: My coworker, after the election, made a really good point about not continuing to treat millennials as a monolith and engaging in conversation with people who don’t share many of the beliefs that are pretty clearly reflected on our site. The most important thing we’ll be doing going forward is talking to the other side and try to make them understand and we’ll try to understand them better and the best way to do that is through personal storytelling and finding your in.

NICOLE: There’s a lot of ways we can get involved. Support your local nonprofits, monetarily. The giving just started to explode after the election. People want to put their money in places where good causes are going to happen. Money does speak. Now we have to be supporting the nonprofits and other advocacy organizations that are working in this space. We had a woman who did an alternative bridal shower. She brought all of her bridesmaids out and raised money to install of solar panels! It was amazing and they had a wonderful day and that’s impacting our bottom line and then we’re able to bring solar to more homeowners. So just get involved and really start to be active.

ERIN: I’d say two things. One, what we spend our money on sends a very clear message. So supporting brands and individuals you believe in, who you know are doing things in the right way, that’s a great start. Two, it is getting involved. I’d say, find your issue and then supporting people who are running for public office at a local level, be it volunteering with time or giving contributions.