One week after the official launch of HEAR ME RAW, the activist-oriented natural and sustainable skin-care company, 25 team members, influencers, friends and fans joined tens of thousands of people in New York City and in marches across the country for the fourth Women’s March in New York on Jan. 18. With a mission of “honoring women,” there is virtually no cause more important to the activist brand. This year’s march focused on five key issues: reproductive health rights, immigration rights, climate change, freedom for everyone, and equal pay.
“I’m not a believer in these so-called deep-state conspiracies, but if there were one here in the U.S., it would be a conspiracy against women”, says Mike Indursky, CEO of HEAR ME RAW. “Consider this—we had an historic occasion when 42 women became new congresswomen in 2019. It was awe-inspiring, a near day of reckoning for women in our country. But no sooner does that happen than 20 states begin introducing and/or or passing tougher abortion laws. That is a deep-state conspiracy. That is an example of government officials trying to keep women ‘in their place.’ And as an “equalist,” a feminist, and the father of a daughter, this is just one of the injustices against women that makes me angry and makes me want to make a difference.” Indursky adds, “The four things that this year’s event is centered around are the very issues that are most core to the brand.”
Working in concert with the Women’s March organization and partnering with influential activist and entrepreneur Lara Eurdolian of Pretty Connected (@prettyconnected), the HEAR ME RAW team organized a sign-making event at the politically conscious, activist women’s clothing retailer Wildfang in NYC’s SoHo last Thursday. More than 100 people showed up to make signs, all the while chanting and sharing their views on what issues are most important to them. "I never thought that in 2020, I'd be yelling louder than ever for equal rights, diversity, and for the environment,” says Eurdolian. “If we're going to solve these issues, we need to speak up and ask our communities, our friends, and brands, specifically, for help and to change their practices to be less wasteful, consider the environment and do more—especially if we can't count on our government. Working with a brand like HEAR ME RAW, which has acceptance and sustainability embedded in its DNA, is the example I want—leading the movement and creating opportunities for my friends and audience to make an impact.” She adds: “I was hugely honored to host the sign-making party, and the number of people who showed up, participated, and advocated with us was nothing short of inspiring." Other attendees at the HEAR ME RAW event included makeup artists Mickey Williams (@mwmakeup) and Sarah Bryant (@sarah_louwho), YouTuber Camille Johnson (@offbeatlook), and model/activist Khrystyana Kazakova (@khrystyana).
Two days later, on Saturday, the team met at Foley Square in downtown Manhattan for speeches from several prominent people—including Evelyn Yang, wife of democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang, and activist Donna Hill. Despite the snow and below-freezing temperatures, the team demonstrated, shared their views with others, gave interviews, and even handed out hats and food for the other demonstrators. “It’s amazing, the power of strong, like-minded people all banding together and fighting for justice. People who might have felt powerless and disenfranchised before suddenly feel they’re being heard and truly making a difference—which is why Women’s March is so important,” says Indursky. Will there be more marches in the future? “We’re an activist brand, and we will always fight the fight for equal rights, environmental rights, and simply doing right.”
Cover photo courtesy of The New York Post.
Here are some other favorites from the sign-making and march:
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