Defend the Vote: A March on Washington Reflection

This reflection comes from Molly Bradley, a current Good Shepherd Volunteer at the National Advocacy Center (NAC) in Washington, D.C.

Molly and Meg White (Associate Director, National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd) pose at the March

On Friday, August 28th, Meg and I headed to downtown DC for the March on Washington: Defend the Vote event. Personally, there was a bit of anticipation leading up to this day—it was going to be my first time at the Lincoln memorial, my first large demonstration in DC, and my first time seeing several notable speakers in person. I had been looking forward to it all week. As we walked closer to the gathering, I was struck by how diverse the crowd was—religious, secular, old, young, people of every ethnic background, etc. The fact that these many distinct groups could come together to defend a core tenet of our democracy inspired me.

We heard from a myriad of speakers: civil rights leaders, faith and labor leaders, students, Martin Luther King III, Yolanda R. King (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s granddaughter), Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Senator Bernie Sanders, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and many more. (As someone who majored in political science, this was all extremely exciting.) Both Representative Ocasio Cortez and Senator Sanders emphasized how important economic freedom is—that we can have every civil right, but without adequate access to jobs and reasonable prices, many Americans feel trapped. Senator Bernie Sanders reminded us of Dr. King's 1968 speech, paraphrasing, "What good is having the right to sit at a lunch counter if you can't afford to buy a hamburger?"

In addition to listening to the speeches, engaging with fellow participants and learning about what drove them to the march was energizing. Across the diverse issues that they fight for, they were moved to be present because they care. It reminded me that I belong right where I am. I am so grateful to Meg (Associate Director, National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd), who joined me in the sweltering DC weather, for the community of demonstrators, and for my job which provides me with the coolest opportunities in the world. Though the noise can get loud in this country, there’s still folks who believe in our democracy, our community, and our future. I think I'll stick with them!

NOTE: This event continues the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom when he stood at the Lincoln Memorial and declared his dream for a more just America. “Defending the vote means defending the foundation of our democracy,” said Martin Luther King III. “Sixty three years after my father stood at the Lincoln Memorial, we are called to march again, not only in remembrance, but in action.”

Molly Bradley Government Relations Associate

The National Advocacy Center

Washington, D.C. (2026-2027)