Claire O’Shea (University of Delaware) joined the march with her language exchange friends, Naomi and Blanca. As they blended into the crowd, they were surrounded by purple lights, face paint, and hand-drawn symbols of resistance. “There were many very creative banners,” she wrote, and recalled feeling amazed at the sheer number of participants lining Gran Vía Street and cheering from balconies. She had marched before in Boston, but this time, listening to the chants in Spanish made the experience all the more meaningful.
For Isabella Mansfield (Stonehill College), the experience was deeply emotional. “It was a very emotional experience to see how many people are fighting for their rights,” she wrote. Walking through the crowded streets of Granada, she reflected on the long and oppressive history faced by women in Spain, and felt honored to support them on this day. Learning the chants, cheering with the crowd, and seeing the dedication of the people around her turned the march into an unforgettable memory.
Joanna Vodola (Stonehill College) had never attended a demonstration before. “When I arrived, I felt a bit overwhelmed because there were so many women in the streets,” she admitted. As the march unfolded, she gained perspective on the struggle Spanish women have endured. The legacy of dictatorship, and the oppression women experienced for decades, made her realize how important this event was—not just historically, but emotionally. “We still have a long road ahead,” she concluded.
Hannah Dignam (University of Delaware) appreciated the warmth and guidance of her exchange friends during the march. “They helped us understand the chants and inspired us to take part,” she said. Participating in the event allowed her to step beyond language learning and connect to the spirit of the city.
The original text was written in Spanish by Hannah Dignam as part of their experience in Granada with GRIIS:
“Fuimos a la manifestación con nuestro grupo de intercambio y sus amigas. Ellas nos ayudaron a entender las consignas si no entendíamos algunas de las pancartas. Me gusta que estuvimos con ellas porque ellas participaron mucho en la manifestación y nos inspiraron para participar también”.
