Congrats For Making It Through The Past 100 Days

Dear Reader: Today is a special day, and you deserve a heartfelt congratulations — because you've officially made it through 100 days of a Trump presidency, and that is definitely something of which to be proud. Weathering the proverbial you-know-what-storm that has been the first 100 days of the Trump administration hasn't been the easiest task, and I know you've taken a hit mentally and emotionally; for this reason, I say to you: Good job. You've survived so much in just 100 short days. (How do you do it?!)

The last several months have been tough, Reader, and things have gotten downright scary. You've experienced threats to your civil rights, your access to health care, even the quality of the air you breathe and the water you drink. Through it all, you've continued to fight, protest, march, and rally. You've posted on your social media and screamed from the rooftops. Through all the bad (and we do mean bad), your voice has been heard.

You've made it through 100 really tough days; and you know what? You'll get through the next 100, and the 100 after that. While it's been hard lately to stay positive in the onslaught of negative news, remember all that you've had a hand in accomplishing.

Because of generous and selfless people like you, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was able to raise $24 million online over one weekend. For reference, their online contributions typically come in at around three to four million dollars — a year. Good job, you! Also, the federal hiring freeze for the VA was reversed. We saw you posting about that on Facebook, Reader. Thanks for that! Oh, and the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) climate data was put back on their website, and the gag order against them, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was lifted. Heck yeah!

Let's not forget events like the Women's March on Washington and the Day Without a Woman protest, either: They were outrageously successful. Millions of us from every corner of the globe came together with one common goal. It's a beautiful thing, and it wouldn't have happened without you.

These are just a few of your accomplishments, friend, and you should be so proud. You've inspired people so greatly, that women are flocking to politics in droves: In the five months since the election, more than 11,000 women from every state have expressed interest in running for school boards, state legislatures, and congress. During the 2016 election, this number was just 900 — making for a twelvefold increase.

I can't promise that it'll get easier from here. In fact, there's a strong likelihood that it'll get harder; but I believe in you. I believe in us. If we got through this first 100 days, we can do anything. Every single action counts, big and small. Every tweet. Every Facebook post. Every march we attend. Every phone call we make and letter we send. No matter what, never stop fighting for what's right. We've got a long road ahead of us — but we are more than ready for it.