Entertainment

Melissa Benoist Sends A Message As Strong As Steel

by Allie Gemmill
Bettina Strauss/The CW

On the first full day of Donald Trump's presidential term, the focus was decidedly not on him. Instead, hundreds of thousands of men and women were at the Women's March on Washington, including Supergirl star Melissa Benoist. Benoist's message for the Women's March was feminist, empowering, cheeky — all unabashedly so. She joined her platonic sisters and brothers in solidarity to fight for equality and make herself visible. In doing so, she not only earned my admiration (did she earn yours, too?), but she made her political voice known. What a time to be alive.

Benoist was out in full force in Washington, D.C., finding a moment to take to Instagram to post her presence, including showing off her totally empowering sign. She channeled Supergirl to a T with the sign, which read, "Hey Donald, Don't try to grab my p*ssy. It's made of steel."

The steel part is in reference to Supergirl, who, like her cousin Superman, is considered to be made of something steel-like because of her super strength. It's this steely reminder from Benoist that Trump — despite all his alleged sexual misconduct (which the president has adamantly denied) — can never control women's bodies, demean them, or make women feel less than men.

Benoist was by no means the only celebrity that was out protesting against Trump and his incoming administration. Celebs like Lin-Manuel Miranda, America Ferrera, Jessica Chastain, Chelsea Handler, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, and so, so, many more took to the streets to use their voices for good. It is yet another time that celebrities have bucked the argument that, by virtue of being a celebrity, their political voices were meaningless.

Benoist's support of women, her peaceful rejection of Trump's rhetoric against women, and her public activism were truly spectacular. Saturday, Jan. 21 was proof that when we come together, we are the stronger for it. You could even say that we're as strong as steel.