Of all the college students present, Brown University, with 400 students, had the largest contingent. They were one of the most vocal groups in attendance, chanting "Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho, Newt Gingrich has got to go!" and "we're loud we're strong, we'll vote you out before too long!" between speeches.

Several Brown students said they had come not in support of a particular cause, but simply because their friends were. Others however said they felt strongly about the issues to be discussed at the rally, and were motivated to attend.

Erica Stein '97 said she "couldn't imagine not coming" when she learned of the rally.

And president of Brown Students for Choice Andrea Lee said she came to support women, and to "strongly talk out against the Contract [for America]."

Although men were definitely a minority at the event, making up about a third of the crowd, they made themselves visible by their enthusiastic participation.

"I think it's really important for men to come," said Patrick Guarasci of Northfield Mount Hermon, a New England boarding school. "Women shouldn't have to do this alone. Feminism isn't about separate but equal, but about coming together."

Guarasci said he was particularly struck by "The Clothesline Project", a display of 6,000 T-shirts from around the world designed by female victims of violence. Each T-shirt told the story of its designer's individual experience.

"Seeing those shirts, and the murders [described on the shirts] really hit home," Guarasci said.

Several students said the sheer size of the crowd generated a sense of togetherness.

"It makes me realize that feminism isn't a selfish thing," said Wanda Vance, an undergraduate at the University of Georgia. "I'm here with all these women for all those women who can't fight for themselves."

Another emphasized the importance of collective action.

"If we unite and work together for positive change we can get what we want as women and as human beings. Our votes make a difference," said Karina Kramer Schevers, a student at the University of Wisconsin.

Other Ivy League schools represented included a 170-strong group from Columbia University.

Many Harvard students said the experience of attending the rally was a positive one.

"It was absolutely incredible just to see so many people," said Jennifer Stephen '98. "You don't need to be a politician, or a fanatic, or an intellectual, you just need to care about women."

And Deborah Kory '95 said that the rally helped to crystallize her feelings about women in society.

"Since women compile 50 percent of the population, it is particularly empowering for them to come together," Kory said. "If they truly want to reach everyone, they must take into consideration the plight of all subjugated people."

As the rally ended, the crowd slowly dispersed. Despite the heat of the day and the length of the event, many students were noticeably far less anxious to go home than they had been to come. For many, the energetic atmosphere of the rally was inspiring and motivational.

"It's an empowering thing for so many people who believe in a common goal to get together like this," said Stein.