Three volunteers from last year's women's march want to make Tucson a kinder place.
And they're starting this Saturday.
To commemorate last year's Women's March on Washington, which drew 15,000 people to downtown Tucson, Sheli Weis, Donna Sutton and Pam Bickell are launching a movement they're calling "A Trillion Acts of Love."
As far as Weis knows, there is no massive women's march in Tucson this year, but the Casa Grande Dispatch reported that former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords will speak at an event in Casa Grande Saturday. There will also be a march in Phoenix Sunday, Jan. 21, the same date women around the country took to the streets for women's rights one year ago.
This Tucson event begins with a candlelight vigil Saturday, Jan. 20 where participants can share both grief and hope. Weis said the vigil is an opportunity for those grieving the direction the country has taken to come together and take heart in what they can do: Care for a neighbor. Kindness, she added, doesn't depend on who you voted for.
Donna Sutton created this art to complement the movement "A Trillion Acts of Love"
People at the vigil will be encouraged to share "an act of love" they will commit to in the new year.
"The most important thing is, if my neighbor is suffering and I can actually do something to alleviate it, not only does my act alleviate my neighbor's suffering, but it fills me with the joy and purpose of being a good human being," said Weis, who spoke at last year's march.
Participants can start making a difference in Tucson by bringing some much-needed items to the Armory Park Center for seniors, 220 S. Fifth Ave. on the day of the vigil (or any time after). The center is requesting new towels, hand towels, washcloths, socks, underwear, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, baby powder, combs and brushes.
"We have a lot of older adults who are low-income and just getting general hygiene stuff is something they don't necessarily always have access to or can't afford," said Donna Trujillo, the center's supervisor.
Pam Bickell, Sheli Weis and Donna Sutton organized this candlelight vigil and movement "A Trillion Acts of Love."
Photographer Peter Romano of Handprint-Images will also be at the vigil to capture photos of people holding signs proclaiming what their "act of love" will be in 2018.
"What is it that I like to do and what makes me joyous and happy?" Weis said. "And how can I do that for others."
If you go
What: A candlelight vigil and the launch of the movement "A Trillion Acts of Love" to commemorate the Tucson version of last year's Women's March on Washington.
When: Saturday, Jan. 20., 6 p.m. You can bring donations to the Armory Park Center starting around 9 a.m. Saturday or whenever it is open (9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday).
Where: Armory Park, off of Sixth Avenue and 13th Street.
Cost: Free, but bring a candle for the vigil and a donation if you want a photo taken.
More info: Visit the the Women's March on Washington - Tucson March Facebook page.
