One year ago today, Holla Back DC! found us.

Last year on January 29th, we met to talk about how to start a RightRides chapter in DC.  It was a frigid cold evening and we met over tea and salty oat cookies at the Teaism in Dupont Circle.  Little did we know what our conversation that day would turn into.

One thing led to another, and we started talking about street harassment, our experiences, the prevalence, and the silence of the problem.  We were both inspired from Marty Langelan’s training on street harassment and sexual harassment that we attended a few months earlier.  We realized then that there was no avenue for folks to talk about their public sexual harassment experiences in DC and that there need to be a way to give a voice to the problem. So the seed for Holla Back DC! was planted.  We emailed Emily, co-founder of Holla Back NYC and immediately got to work on planning the April launch of Holla Back DC!

It is amazing to look back over the year and see just how far we’ve come, from a small blog to building a grassroots movement.  To see our community talking about public sexual harassment and how to create a DC that is free from public sexual harassment is the most incredible thing.

Thank you to all of our readers, individuals who have submitted their experiences, online and offline supporters, donors, friends, interns, families and partners.  None of this would be possible without all of you and your support!