With hundreds of thousands of people set to descend on the National Mall on Saturday for the Women's March on Washington, it could be easy to dismiss the scores of female voters who traveled to the capital to celebrate the incoming president.
But on inauguration morning, they were there, braving hours in the cold to witness history and welcome into office the man they believe will make America great again.
For these women, Donald Trump’s presidency represents a hope for change. After eight years of a Democratic president, they look forward to having a Republican champion in the White House — whether that means a man they believe will spark job growth, an advocate for their anti-abortion beliefs, or simply a president they think can keep them safe from terrorism and crime.
Many women were turned off by Trump's candidacy, in part because of his history of demeaning women, including boasting about unwanted sexual advances. Some of Trump’s female supporters who came out on Friday said those issues bothered them, too. But with the nation at stake, they felt it was important to look past his personal flaws and focus on what they felt he would do to help the nation.
And despite all of Trump’s problems, more women voted for him than the pollsters had expected. He won 53% of white women’s vote, and 42% of women nationally.
Some of those voters came from across the nation to attend the inauguration. They journeyed by bus with their church groups and drove in with friends and family. Motivated by their personal beliefs and hoping for a new kind of politics, they woke up at the crack of dawn and stood outside the Capitol for hours, all in the hopes of getting a glimpse of the new president.
Here are their stories.
Very few people or polls predicted Trump’s victory. But those who believed arrived in Washington, D.C., overjoyed to see their candidate sworn into the Oval Office.
Photographed by Michelle Groskopf.
Trump's slogan, "Make America Great Again," was introduced at the start of his campaign, and resonated with his supporters from the beginning.
Photographed by Michelle Groskopf.
Sharren Haskel, 32, Kfar Saba Israel
Member of the Likud Party, second youngest member of the Israeli Knesset
"It’s an honor to be here. We’re speaking at a few events around the inauguration, and it’s mainly to come and strengthen the ties between the American people and the Israeli people. People who are worried about Trump’s relationships overseas should give him a chance and then see. I think that there’s going to be a warm relationship between Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump, and I can just see the relationships grow. So hold on one minute and wait to see as he does his job, then judge him from there."
Photographed by Michelle Groskopf.
The evangelical vote helped push Trump to victory, and many of his supporters expressed hope that God would lead Trump to make good decisions.
Photographed by Michelle Groskopf.
Lily Logan, 15, Georgia
“Initially, I wanted to protest because, as you can see, I’m gay. But I just wanted to see it all, even though this isn’t who I wanted to see become president. I’m really scared for the next four years. On the metro this morning, I got lots of bad looks from people. I have no expectations he or his supporters will come around. It’s been one of the most terrifying experiences of my life.”
Photographed by Michelle Groskopf.
Valerie Atkins, 45, Virginia
(At left)
“Give Trump a chance! I gave Obama a chance; I voted for him. This is where my chance led me. To vote for Mr. Trump.”
“We’ve got to get the shit out of Washington that’s in here now, and get something in here that’s going to do something for our country that Obama couldn’t. It’s a mess.”
Photographed by Michelle Groskopf.
Angel Abeta, 20, New Mexico
Here with the Presidential Inauguration Conference
“I’m here with the Presidential Inauguration Conference — it’s for collegiate students to learn leadership schools and compete for a scholarship. We’ve had seminars where we learn a lot about leadership and empathy. Unfortunately, I don’t think Trump displays any of these qualities. I’m not a supporter, but I will respect what has been chosen. I think the next four years will be bumpy, and the people who voted for him will realize it’s not as good as they thought it’d be.”
Photographed by Michelle Groskopf.
Giselle Hood, 14, Chicago
“My whole family is headed to the breakfast at the Trump International Hotel before the ceremony. I like Trump because of his views on national security and his immigration policies. A lot of people don’t support Trump, and you can’t really change their opinions on that. All I can say is to give him a chance. He is going to be our president, and let's at least listen to his views.”
Photographed by Michelle Groskopf.
Elena, 22, Florida
“It’s important as a responsible citizen and a queer person to show that there are people in the audience who don’t support Trump. Everywhere they don’t want us to be, we’re going to be there. I study immigration and refugees, and I’m very worried about them as the DACA recipients at my school. They shouldn’t be denied the same opportunities I’ll have because my family came many generations ago. We’ve all worked hard.”
Photographed by Michelle Groskopf.
Many Trump supporters were excited by his pledge to “drain the swamp” and remove corruption from Washington.
Photographed by Michelle Groskopf.
Isabella Conklin, 13, Virginia
“It’s going to be one of the biggest events ever in terms of importance. I like President Trump because he doesn’t promise anything he can’t do within four years, and when he says he’ll try he means it. He sticks by his word. I’m so excited, but I’m freezing! I wore sandals not knowing it would be this cold!”
Photographed by Michelle Groskopf.
People from every state and of every age made the journey.
Photographed by Michelle Groskopf.
Christiana, 15, California
“I bought these tickets way in advance when I thought Hillary had a chance of winning. I had no option for a refund, so why waste the money? May as well come and watch history happen, even if it’s not a good type of history. It’s terrifying being here, I’m scared for my safety. Last night at the inaugural concert we all had to move because we were afraid we'd be yelled at for not being Republican.”
Photographed by Michelle Groskopf.
Holly, 22, Tennessee
“I’ve always been leaning toward the Republican Party because it goes more toward my faith and my beliefs. And, since I was a little girl, I’ve been a fan of Mr. Trump…. Celebrity Apprentice is one of my favorite shows ever. But whatever happens, I’m just going to hold to faith. At the end of the day, politics aside, it’s God who makes the decision.”
Photographed by Michelle Groskopf.
During his speech, Trump pledged that “the forgotten man will be forgotten no longer.”
Photographed by Michelle Groskopf.
Far fewer people attended Trump’s inauguration than expected. Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration drew 1.6 million people, whereas Trump’s drew less than half of that.
Photographed by Michelle Groskopf.
Samantha, 13, California
“We were just here for my cousin's FBI inauguration and decided to come support Trump. My family has been following the election a lot. I’ve only heard a little of what he says, but I agree a lot with it. A lot of my friends like Trump, too.”
Photographed by Michelle Groskopf.
Mary Kate Masterson, 19, Pennsylvania
“It’s historic to see a peaceful transition of power. I couldn’t vote this year, and I’m not really sure who I would have voted for if I could. I’d like to be optimistic about Trump the next four years, but he says a lot of questionable things. Who knows what he’ll follow through on? I’m unsure about women’s rights issues, equal pay, more women in government. I like Ivanka though. It’s impressive that she can hold such a powerful position even with all the controversies her father has had.”
Photographed by Michelle Groskopf.
On every street corner, vendors sold “Make America Great Again” hats, scarves, and buttons.
Photographed by Michelle Groskopf.
Katy Kripp, 19, Ohio
“I go to school in the area, so it’s a fantastic experience. As a voter, I was solidly in the middle, so I didn’t vote for the office of president. I’m just here for the experience. I hope it’s not as dismal as people think it is. We have to be optimistic that it could be a good presidency.”
Photographed by Michelle Groskopf.
Sadaya Jaah, North Carolina
“I’m part of a Satanist atheist group. We came today because we have something we’d like to say to Mr. Trump and Mr. Pence: We don’t want him to be our president or our vice president. He’s going to take away our rights and we’re already watching him do it with the people he’s electing for his cabinet…Satan is just a metaphor for knowledge and the self, and we don’t believe our bodies should be violated by other people’s law. No one in the Trump administration reflects our views, and I don’t think they represent the country, either.”
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