US Marine Corps features prominent 'resistance' motto in honor of Women's History Month

In honor of Women’s History Month, the United States Marine Corps on Thursday featured a prominent feminist phrase on its website—one frequently used in tandem with the anti-Trump “Resistance.”

The phrase appears in a video celebrating 100 years of women in the Marine Corps.

“For every woman who fights, there is a woman who fought for her,” the video says. “Here’s to all the battles one and to all the battles ahead.”

“Nevertheless, she persisted” became a catchphrase for the feminist movement in 2017, after the Senate, led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), voted to silence Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

That vote came during the confirmation hearing for Attorney General Jeff Sessions, after Warren agreed with Sen. Ted Kennedy’s (D-MA) assessment that Sessions is “a disgrace to the Justice Department” and “should withdraw his nomination and resign his position.”


Warren then read a letter from Coretta Scott King, the wife of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., about Sessions’ conduct as U.S. Attorney. That letter—which helped derail Sessions’ 1986 confirmation hearing for the U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Alabama—accused Sessions of “[using] the awesome power of his office to chill the free exercise of the vote by black citizens.”

McConnell, objecting to that line, interrupted Warren, saying, “the senator has impugned the motives and conduct of our colleague from Alabama, as warned by the chair." Warren was not allowed to continue speaking, and was silenced for the remained of Sessions’ hearing.

Explaining his objection, McConnell told the Senate chamber: “Senator Warren was giving a lengthy speech. She had appeared to violate the rule. She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.”

That line was quickly co-opted by feminists and Warren supporters, who turned the phrase into a viral meme—and used it against her would-be silencers. In a tweet shortly after the hearing, Hillary Clinton expressed support for the phrase, writing on Twitter, “She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted. So must we all.”

The quote has appeared on t-shirts and signs dedicated the anti-Trump movement.

You can watch the tribute video below: