Were we even there—did something even really happen—if we didn’t take a picture of it? Post it, headline it and then watch as people reacted to it?

The four of us made plans before separating to hold each other accountable, to keep the momentum that we felt going back home.

“No, Honey. Mommy wants to be strong!”

I say, yes. Let’s dress like women from here on out. Let us clothe ourselves in dignity, in freedom from fear, and love. Let us pick up our shields of acceptance and compassion. Let us don cloaks of never ending determination.

We chanted, sang and danced, and I kept whispering, “Girls can do anything,” into Magnolia’s ear.

When she took the stage at the Women’s March, McBath reminded all mothers everywhere of what we have to lose—our children.

Raising a daughter, I grapple with fostering the independence that shines so bright in her eyes with making sure others around her always know the kindness in her heart.

“That this [2016 election outcome] is a vote against the future, and the future is going to happen anyway.” Social justice, equality, and human evolution will be the future, regardless of the next few years.

How am I supposed to empower my daughter in this America?

As close as Hillary came to winning the presidency, her campaign also highlighted the fact that society still views tenacious, tough women in a negative light.