Democratic women made a bold statement Tuesday night by turning the congressional chamber pink during Donald Trump’s first address to Congress. The organized effort, spearheaded by the Democratic Women’s Caucus, was to demonstrate opposition to increased costs, tariffs, cuts in funding for women’s health research, and decreased assistance for victims of domestic violence.
Just so we’re clear: these Congressional Democrat women wearing pink to protest President Trump and his “anti-woman” policies are the same women who voted unanimously to keep boys in girls’ sports yesterday. pic.twitter.com/IHjekfh0JJ
— Nicki Neily (@nickineily) March 5, 2025
Pink as a Symbol of Protest
“Pink has been used as a colour of protest against Trump,” explained Teresa Leger Fernandez, New Mexico Senator and caucus chair. She appeared in a magenta blazer, pale pink blouse, pleated pink pants, and a ‘Betrayed for Billionaires’ button.
She stressed the dangers emanating from the policy shifts by the administration. “”Our safety and security is at risk. They are cutting the programmes to protect women who have suffered from rape, from domestic violence, from abuse,” she said to The Washington Post.
US Congresswoman Jill Tokuda participated in the protest by donning a pink jacket written with phrases of the US Constitution to protest against Trump’s policies.
A Show of Resistance
Illinois Democratic Sen. Delia Ramirez, also wearing pink, underscored the importance of the movement. “It’s really a reminder that this colour is also a colour of resistance and that every single woman that’s in that State of the Union wearing that pink is going to continue to fight back for women and girls,” she said to NBC.
The Democratic Women’s Caucus has in the past employed fashion as a political tool. The members, in the Democratic National Convention and 2024 State of the Union address, donned white as a way to pay homage to the suffrage movement and protest for women’s rights.
The Historical Significance of Pink
This time, they deliberately chose the color pink, which has historically symbolized protest movements, such as the 2017 Women’s March and demonstrations against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“The press often pays attention to what women wear, for good or for bad,” said Fernandez. “So we want to wear this colour to raise the alarm about the negative impacts his policies are having on women.”
A Well-Coordinated Effort
The members quickly organized the pink movement, ensuring they had the appropriate clothing. “Women are flexible and nimble,” Fernandez said. “Suitcases were packed. People went to consignment stores. They shared clothes with each other. We are sharing the colour of pink with each other even as we speak.”
She also pointed out the economic burden imposed by Trump’s tariffs, which have raised daily expenses, especially for women who are responsible for household spending.
With this daring fashion statement, Democratic women made a powerful statement of defiance, employing fashion as an effective political statement.
