It went from being comical that here was this man, a business man/reality star vying for the most important public office in America, to frightening, as I read and heard from his own mouth the racist insults, the misogynistic way he talked to women, and the disrespect he had towards military families had all still left him unscathed with his followers.

His winning essentially woke me up from the safe bubble I thought I was in, where I would have never have imagined my fellow American would vote someone like him into office, I knew that despite being thousands of miles away, I like so many of those feeling similarly had to take a more active role starting at the community level to make sure this man does not go unchecked for the next four years.

The day before the march, I watched in disbelief as small groups of rioters destroyed property and were being tear-gassed as a result. I was concerned because I would be bringing my nine-month-old son Hunter, and his safety was the most important thing to me.

When I jumped online, I read other women who were concerned about safety, but felt relieved as one after the other, they said the women’s march was not about violence, it was going to be a positive day where all were welcomed to march alongside one another in unity, and that’s exactly is how it felt.

Despite there being long lines everywhere to enter the train stations, more long lines awaiting you to buy a train ticket and then waiting to even get down to the platforms, everyone was patient and pleasant. The energy was palpable. As I described above, despite the massive crowds and navigating them with a young baby and stroller, everyone was going out of their way to make room for me and to make sure that we were ok.