I'm a human rights worker. As part of my day job working to end the death penalty (alongside Sister Helen Prejean--author of Dead Man Walking), we created a communal playlist of music designed to buoy people's spirits in tough times. We originally launched Sister Helen's Justice Train Playlist during Trump's first term, It's still running the rails and, from the feedback we've received, proving helpful for those who feel overwhelmed but want to keep in the struggle. You can listen, and suggest a song, at https://www.sisterhelen.org/justice-train-playlist-2025.
I stepped back from my leadership role with Moms Demand Action after the election. And after the election, I felt like the most important thing I could do was establish connections with the women around me who I know were struggling like I was, and help them connect with each other. So about 10-12 of us have been meeting monthly since November, sharing our anger and fears but also taking small actions as we figure out a larger course forward. So far this has looked like making sandwiches for a local food kitchen. But tonight a few of us are attending a town hall with our US Congressional representative. Next week, a few more of us are attending our first Indivisible meeting. And we are also planning a smash outing (where we take sledgehammers to things for 15 minutes!).
I learned so much about the importance of a women's village in my decade with Moms Demand. And I hope my friends and I can keep this group going. We have gotten a lot of inspiration from sharing your posts (10 things you can do, the Mansophere, etc.) and I know the key to protecting our families and communities is taking action together.
I am a protester, keyboard activist (online petitions), postcard writer, donater of time and money and a representative caller. Pissed that I have to do this but not backing down!
I'm 70 years old, and I've been here before. I grew up in the world Trump/MAGA wants to take us back to, where women were 2nd-class citizens and white Christian men ran everything, where the FBI and other civil authorities violated people's rights; where a "silent majority" of voters backed an intolerant society. If you're feeling overwhelmed, talk to the old women you know. Many of us know how to fight back, subversively or openly. The first step is simply refusing to do what the oppressors want you to do. Know that you are strong. Refuse to be overwhelmed by the chaos they're spreading. Then find a local group, or start one with your friends, that's working on the issue(s) you care about most. We can't all do everything; focusing on one or a few issues cuts through that paralyzing sense of chaos. I am volunteering with Moms Demand Action and several local political groups. I may be old and tired of this crap, but I can fight it again. You can, too. <3
I'm glad you're pointing this out. I am a little younger than you, but not much. I do not think we've ever lived in a country whose head politician was openly and willingly trying to become part of Russia, which is where we are. As a female citizen, I don't know if living as a Russian woman is worse than living as a US woman in the 1950's, for example.
I would love to take advantage of your knowledge on how to fight back openly or tacitly. It's not as if the women that i do know, of your age, are willing to talk about this, because they are not. Most people i know do not even acknowledge that anything is going on, and if they do, they just want to get by in their everyday lives, and not upset themselves by discussing anything.
I know what you mean: It's easiest to go along with the tide. Resisting takes work and energy, and can be scary for many people.
People on this thread have suggested Indivisible (indivisible.org), which has local groups nationwide (sign up online to get their emails), and the 5 Calls app or website (5calls.org) which makes contacting our legislators easy. Sign up for an Indivisible meeting (in person or on Zoom); find one near you by going to Mobilize.us and searching for Indivisible. Then tell the people you know who have their heads in the sand what you're doing (as long as you think it's safe to do so). Even if they won't do anything or acknowledge what's going on, it may eventually penetrate if they hear you say you can't join them for dinner or a game because you have an Indivisible meeting or a phone session to ask legislators to make sure our rights are protected.
As for subversive resistance right now -- besides step one, which is refusing to do what oppressors want you to do -- I don't argue with the staunchly right-wing people I know. Instead, I listen to what they say or post on social media to get a better idea of what they're up to and why they think the way they do. That information may prove useful.
Those are good suggestions. As for the right wing people, I have kicked them out of my life, over time. None of them have ever offered to me an explanation of how they could support someone who says such misogynistic things. That alone warrants me kicking them out of my life. They think women are supposed to just easily give up our own interests for some alleged greater good, and be quiet about it. There is enough info in the media for me to get to know how the right wing people think, so... I won't tolerate it, in my personal life. I think that tolerating it has gotten us where we are, today. They should be begging us to accept them in our lives, not sitting around the Thanksgiving dinner table with us, all agreeing "not to discuss 'politics." We have really normalized this.
I am calling our Senators and Governors. I am a Co-Chair on Reproductive Freedom For All's new National Action Council and we are organizing our members. We have various groups to make sure we cover all areas of our work. We are getting everyone ready for the fight for the midterms. I am also the new Lead for the New Jersey Moms Demand Phonebank Team and I am also taking their course to learn how to work on a campaign so I can help to get our best people elected in the midterms. I am also the Lead on MoveOn's Petitions Team to make sure we get the best petitions out to people to fight against this administration and all the other the horrific things going on in this country. And I do a whole lot of phonebanking for whatever organization I can help out with. I go to rallies, not only in my state but also so many in DC. ANd I talk to as many people in my community as I can to learn what their concerns are and help they learn how they can get involved.
I have been calling reps and AG's. I have written emails. I am trying to find more ways to get involved with volunteering and mutual aid in my city. If we all do a few things then all together it adds up to alot, right?
Yes!! Our collective voices and actions add up! We all have to keep calling, writing, showing up. I’m using the @_the_daily_do on instagram to help me focus my actions.
I feel overwhelmed. I am also realizing I need to deconstruct the American exceptionalism that made me think it wouldn't happen here. I'm scared for my daughters' futures.
Taking action helps. I'm calling reps daily (5 Calls app!!), joining grassroots reprodutive rights meetings, donating, reading commonly banned books, etc. I'm also learning more about Mutual Aid, a concept I wasn't super familiar with. Reading history and stories of justice helps because, while it frightens and enrages me, it helps me "zoom out" from the intensity of this moment and reflect on what I want to be the stories 50 years from now. What part I wish to play.
When I'm feeling optimistic, I hope we see an awakening where we come out the other side of this more committed than ever to building a country rooted in justice, hope, and opportunity.
I am feeling overwhelmed because Trump is even worse than I expected, and I see little feedback from Dem leadership, including my elected Dem Senators. My GOP Rep is useless, he even spreads misinformation and lies in his emails and newsletters. I have called all 3 numerous times, and I do numerous online petitions. I have also emailed my Senators and Rep several times. WHERE IS THE DEM LEADERSHIP? Am I wrong to expect them to provide direction? I do realize that there is much work going on behind the scenes, by why are Sen Peters and Slotkin silent? I also recognize that MSM is presenting the news Trump wants to hear and not the full truth, but they can certainly speak out directly to voters, or through NPR. I'm pissed and anxious, and I don't know where to turn. (It doesn't help that I've been recovering from surgery and then got sick, so I've been housebound)
I have not gotten one email or letter from my Dem. Governor, reps or Senators, about what they're doing -- not one. We may be shocked by what is happening, but they do not appear to be. I imagine they are threatened with prosecution, and perhaps with violence (?) -- but they knew that when they ran for office. I'm not sure what the point of them being there, is. I also heard that at this point they have fallen prey to the same cultural fad as have many of us -- they just do a bit of grandsstanding to get on TV and talk shows. Sen. Andy Kim used to tell us that all the time when he did town hall phone meetings. It was the only useful thing he ever said.
I do hear from my Dem Gov, and we also have news coverage of what the Dem administration is doing - Whitmer, Bensen, and Nessel. I know they have involved Michigan in several lawsuits to block Trump/Musk actions. One of my main news sources is Michigan Public (NPR), and they do a good job covering the state as well as regional, federal, and International coverage. I just hear nothing from Slotkin and Peters. I even see news about what Pete Buttigieg is up to (I'm hoping he runs for Senate). I expected all the Deb Senators to be ready to go with a battle plan, and I have heard that they are taking strategic actions, BUT the people need to hear from them. Even Hakeem Jeffries is disappointing to say the least.
I'm wondering if it is tougher to transition from the House to the Senate than I realized, since both Slotkin and Kim aren't communicating. I've hear she is still hiring staffers?
I am purposefully setting a time range within my day, M-F, to contact my GOP Rep. adapting the timely and fact-based scripts from 5Calls.org. I politely thank the staffer for taking and tallying my call. Then I remind them there are 622 days until the midterms. H/T Adam Parkhomenko and Sam Youngman. In the evening I carve out time for raucous laughter by perusing through the brilliant political cartoons/artwork of Clay Jones, Mike Luckovi, Tula Holmes, and many more. I also try to close out my day expressing gratitude in having the best job in the world… I am a proud middle school teacher in Public Education!
Thank you for this link. I just used it to call my legislators on two issues and it's SO EASY! 5Calls provides the scripts and everything for all the issues I care about. I had been scouring the news daily and putting together call sheets with scripts I'd written then calling each legislator and it was taking a lot of physical and mental energy. 5calls does the research and writing for me. I love this. Thank you again, Shelby! 💜
For the past month, I have been calling senators and rep almost daily, donating to causes I care about, and taking action that align with my values like boycotting Target, cancelling Amazon Prime and deleting Meta accounts. I have also been sticking to my self care routine and resting when I need to, limiting my exposure to news, and cultivating my peace by intentionally doing those things that nurture my soul (painting, spending time in nature, writing, exercise, meditating, etc).
I call my reps and share about how everyone else can speak up on the highest priority actions. Trying to focus on what is most impactful, rather than click bait and outrage. I use @_the_daily_do on instagram to focus my actions.
I’m not overwhelmed but would love to find a group of informed women to talk about the current situation. Many of my mom’s friends are balancing kids, work etc and their plate is full. Trying to find informed women to do things with - volunteer, go to the capital, talk about calls to congress, has been harder to find. Grateful for Indivisible.
Currently overwhelmed as I recently contracted Influenza A and don’t remember ever feeling this sick. It really puts things in perspective and I’m extremely grateful for overall health. I’ve had to cancel clients this week as I can barely talk and have been mostly resting. Grateful for the privilege to be able to take care of myself. When I’m feeling myself again, I’m going to have to take some concrete actions. Every day the news just seems to get worse. And more surreal. 💔
I’ve been so overwhelmed. It was seriously impacting my mental health and presence with my family. But any sort of stepping back from the wreckage feels like collaboration at this point. Things I’ve done over the last few weeks that have helped- charge my phone downstairs and use an analog alarm clock, focus energy on doing 1-3 things a day that are kind, helpful, resistant- donating to a local race, sending a letter, going to a school board meeting. And trying to keep negative news from seeping into my brain the whole day. Shannon, I saw you speak once and have clung to what you said so often- “it may not feel like we’re making progress but little battles are being won every day by people doing the tedious work” (I’m paraphrasing) so thank you.
I'm a human rights worker. As part of my day job working to end the death penalty (alongside Sister Helen Prejean--author of Dead Man Walking), we created a communal playlist of music designed to buoy people's spirits in tough times. We originally launched Sister Helen's Justice Train Playlist during Trump's first term, It's still running the rails and, from the feedback we've received, proving helpful for those who feel overwhelmed but want to keep in the struggle. You can listen, and suggest a song, at https://www.sisterhelen.org/justice-train-playlist-2025.
Love this!!
This is wonderful, thank you for sharing it!
I stepped back from my leadership role with Moms Demand Action after the election. And after the election, I felt like the most important thing I could do was establish connections with the women around me who I know were struggling like I was, and help them connect with each other. So about 10-12 of us have been meeting monthly since November, sharing our anger and fears but also taking small actions as we figure out a larger course forward. So far this has looked like making sandwiches for a local food kitchen. But tonight a few of us are attending a town hall with our US Congressional representative. Next week, a few more of us are attending our first Indivisible meeting. And we are also planning a smash outing (where we take sledgehammers to things for 15 minutes!).
I learned so much about the importance of a women's village in my decade with Moms Demand. And I hope my friends and I can keep this group going. We have gotten a lot of inspiration from sharing your posts (10 things you can do, the Mansophere, etc.) and I know the key to protecting our families and communities is taking action together.
Love everything you're doing, Shani.
I would love to find a group like you gathered - a support group that would help me direct my anger and anxiety into action.
If you can’t find one, start one! 💪
I am a protester, keyboard activist (online petitions), postcard writer, donater of time and money and a representative caller. Pissed that I have to do this but not backing down!
Yes, don't back down!
Ditto! So frustrating, but we will persist!
I'm 70 years old, and I've been here before. I grew up in the world Trump/MAGA wants to take us back to, where women were 2nd-class citizens and white Christian men ran everything, where the FBI and other civil authorities violated people's rights; where a "silent majority" of voters backed an intolerant society. If you're feeling overwhelmed, talk to the old women you know. Many of us know how to fight back, subversively or openly. The first step is simply refusing to do what the oppressors want you to do. Know that you are strong. Refuse to be overwhelmed by the chaos they're spreading. Then find a local group, or start one with your friends, that's working on the issue(s) you care about most. We can't all do everything; focusing on one or a few issues cuts through that paralyzing sense of chaos. I am volunteering with Moms Demand Action and several local political groups. I may be old and tired of this crap, but I can fight it again. You can, too. <3
I'm glad you're pointing this out. I am a little younger than you, but not much. I do not think we've ever lived in a country whose head politician was openly and willingly trying to become part of Russia, which is where we are. As a female citizen, I don't know if living as a Russian woman is worse than living as a US woman in the 1950's, for example.
I would love to take advantage of your knowledge on how to fight back openly or tacitly. It's not as if the women that i do know, of your age, are willing to talk about this, because they are not. Most people i know do not even acknowledge that anything is going on, and if they do, they just want to get by in their everyday lives, and not upset themselves by discussing anything.
I know what you mean: It's easiest to go along with the tide. Resisting takes work and energy, and can be scary for many people.
People on this thread have suggested Indivisible (indivisible.org), which has local groups nationwide (sign up online to get their emails), and the 5 Calls app or website (5calls.org) which makes contacting our legislators easy. Sign up for an Indivisible meeting (in person or on Zoom); find one near you by going to Mobilize.us and searching for Indivisible. Then tell the people you know who have their heads in the sand what you're doing (as long as you think it's safe to do so). Even if they won't do anything or acknowledge what's going on, it may eventually penetrate if they hear you say you can't join them for dinner or a game because you have an Indivisible meeting or a phone session to ask legislators to make sure our rights are protected.
As for subversive resistance right now -- besides step one, which is refusing to do what oppressors want you to do -- I don't argue with the staunchly right-wing people I know. Instead, I listen to what they say or post on social media to get a better idea of what they're up to and why they think the way they do. That information may prove useful.
Those are good suggestions. As for the right wing people, I have kicked them out of my life, over time. None of them have ever offered to me an explanation of how they could support someone who says such misogynistic things. That alone warrants me kicking them out of my life. They think women are supposed to just easily give up our own interests for some alleged greater good, and be quiet about it. There is enough info in the media for me to get to know how the right wing people think, so... I won't tolerate it, in my personal life. I think that tolerating it has gotten us where we are, today. They should be begging us to accept them in our lives, not sitting around the Thanksgiving dinner table with us, all agreeing "not to discuss 'politics." We have really normalized this.
I am calling our Senators and Governors. I am a Co-Chair on Reproductive Freedom For All's new National Action Council and we are organizing our members. We have various groups to make sure we cover all areas of our work. We are getting everyone ready for the fight for the midterms. I am also the new Lead for the New Jersey Moms Demand Phonebank Team and I am also taking their course to learn how to work on a campaign so I can help to get our best people elected in the midterms. I am also the Lead on MoveOn's Petitions Team to make sure we get the best petitions out to people to fight against this administration and all the other the horrific things going on in this country. And I do a whole lot of phonebanking for whatever organization I can help out with. I go to rallies, not only in my state but also so many in DC. ANd I talk to as many people in my community as I can to learn what their concerns are and help they learn how they can get involved.
You're always so involved, Roseann. Love it.
How do you stay safe at rallies? I never see any sponsoring-organizations safeguards on this.
Things that have made me feel calm and like I’m doing something:
Donate to causes important to me ACLU & FL elections.
Call my Senators 3x weekly
Share information and answer questions within my network to highlight key issues
Stop spending $$ with companies that don’t fit my values anymore ( Starbucks, Target)
Reading books from strong women for inspiration
So good!
I have been calling reps and AG's. I have written emails. I am trying to find more ways to get involved with volunteering and mutual aid in my city. If we all do a few things then all together it adds up to alot, right?
Yes!! Our collective voices and actions add up! We all have to keep calling, writing, showing up. I’m using the @_the_daily_do on instagram to help me focus my actions.
I feel overwhelmed. I am also realizing I need to deconstruct the American exceptionalism that made me think it wouldn't happen here. I'm scared for my daughters' futures.
Taking action helps. I'm calling reps daily (5 Calls app!!), joining grassroots reprodutive rights meetings, donating, reading commonly banned books, etc. I'm also learning more about Mutual Aid, a concept I wasn't super familiar with. Reading history and stories of justice helps because, while it frightens and enrages me, it helps me "zoom out" from the intensity of this moment and reflect on what I want to be the stories 50 years from now. What part I wish to play.
When I'm feeling optimistic, I hope we see an awakening where we come out the other side of this more committed than ever to building a country rooted in justice, hope, and opportunity.
👏👏👏
I am feeling overwhelmed because Trump is even worse than I expected, and I see little feedback from Dem leadership, including my elected Dem Senators. My GOP Rep is useless, he even spreads misinformation and lies in his emails and newsletters. I have called all 3 numerous times, and I do numerous online petitions. I have also emailed my Senators and Rep several times. WHERE IS THE DEM LEADERSHIP? Am I wrong to expect them to provide direction? I do realize that there is much work going on behind the scenes, by why are Sen Peters and Slotkin silent? I also recognize that MSM is presenting the news Trump wants to hear and not the full truth, but they can certainly speak out directly to voters, or through NPR. I'm pissed and anxious, and I don't know where to turn. (It doesn't help that I've been recovering from surgery and then got sick, so I've been housebound)
As Pooja Lakshmin said, make sure you're taking care of yourself, too!
I have not gotten one email or letter from my Dem. Governor, reps or Senators, about what they're doing -- not one. We may be shocked by what is happening, but they do not appear to be. I imagine they are threatened with prosecution, and perhaps with violence (?) -- but they knew that when they ran for office. I'm not sure what the point of them being there, is. I also heard that at this point they have fallen prey to the same cultural fad as have many of us -- they just do a bit of grandsstanding to get on TV and talk shows. Sen. Andy Kim used to tell us that all the time when he did town hall phone meetings. It was the only useful thing he ever said.
I do hear from my Dem Gov, and we also have news coverage of what the Dem administration is doing - Whitmer, Bensen, and Nessel. I know they have involved Michigan in several lawsuits to block Trump/Musk actions. One of my main news sources is Michigan Public (NPR), and they do a good job covering the state as well as regional, federal, and International coverage. I just hear nothing from Slotkin and Peters. I even see news about what Pete Buttigieg is up to (I'm hoping he runs for Senate). I expected all the Deb Senators to be ready to go with a battle plan, and I have heard that they are taking strategic actions, BUT the people need to hear from them. Even Hakeem Jeffries is disappointing to say the least.
I'm wondering if it is tougher to transition from the House to the Senate than I realized, since both Slotkin and Kim aren't communicating. I've hear she is still hiring staffers?
I may be a man, but even i’m fed up with that spray tanned oaf and his toadies!
Our government has been overthrown. We expect that you be fed up.
I am purposefully setting a time range within my day, M-F, to contact my GOP Rep. adapting the timely and fact-based scripts from 5Calls.org. I politely thank the staffer for taking and tallying my call. Then I remind them there are 622 days until the midterms. H/T Adam Parkhomenko and Sam Youngman. In the evening I carve out time for raucous laughter by perusing through the brilliant political cartoons/artwork of Clay Jones, Mike Luckovi, Tula Holmes, and many more. I also try to close out my day expressing gratitude in having the best job in the world… I am a proud middle school teacher in Public Education!
This is amazing, Shelby.
Thank you for this link. I just used it to call my legislators on two issues and it's SO EASY! 5Calls provides the scripts and everything for all the issues I care about. I had been scouring the news daily and putting together call sheets with scripts I'd written then calling each legislator and it was taking a lot of physical and mental energy. 5calls does the research and writing for me. I love this. Thank you again, Shelby! 💜
I think I can try using 5calls.org to guide my calls, thank you
For the past month, I have been calling senators and rep almost daily, donating to causes I care about, and taking action that align with my values like boycotting Target, cancelling Amazon Prime and deleting Meta accounts. I have also been sticking to my self care routine and resting when I need to, limiting my exposure to news, and cultivating my peace by intentionally doing those things that nurture my soul (painting, spending time in nature, writing, exercise, meditating, etc).
I call my reps and share about how everyone else can speak up on the highest priority actions. Trying to focus on what is most impactful, rather than click bait and outrage. I use @_the_daily_do on instagram to focus my actions.
I’m not overwhelmed but would love to find a group of informed women to talk about the current situation. Many of my mom’s friends are balancing kids, work etc and their plate is full. Trying to find informed women to do things with - volunteer, go to the capital, talk about calls to congress, has been harder to find. Grateful for Indivisible.
Indivisible is incredible.
I agree, I do not have any friends who are willing to take action in this way. Where are you located?
Denver
I am looking to start a small group of people to share actions, support, and community in Boulder- if you want to connect?
Yes
I'm in NJ. It's too bad we aren't closer. Maybe even a phone call would be a start?
Currently overwhelmed as I recently contracted Influenza A and don’t remember ever feeling this sick. It really puts things in perspective and I’m extremely grateful for overall health. I’ve had to cancel clients this week as I can barely talk and have been mostly resting. Grateful for the privilege to be able to take care of myself. When I’m feeling myself again, I’m going to have to take some concrete actions. Every day the news just seems to get worse. And more surreal. 💔
I’ve been so overwhelmed. It was seriously impacting my mental health and presence with my family. But any sort of stepping back from the wreckage feels like collaboration at this point. Things I’ve done over the last few weeks that have helped- charge my phone downstairs and use an analog alarm clock, focus energy on doing 1-3 things a day that are kind, helpful, resistant- donating to a local race, sending a letter, going to a school board meeting. And trying to keep negative news from seeping into my brain the whole day. Shannon, I saw you speak once and have clung to what you said so often- “it may not feel like we’re making progress but little battles are being won every day by people doing the tedious work” (I’m paraphrasing) so thank you.
Thank YOU, Ashley.