Aretha Franklin and Helen Reddy sang joyous anthems at Lake Sumter Landing on Saturday as more than 300 Villagers and residents marched in support of women’s rights.

“Respect” and “I Am Woman” are considered dated even by WVLG Radio standards, but the clear and vivid messages resonated with women who have spent decades defending their rights and beliefs.

The villages’ event was one of many held across the country.

Cindy Grossman of Caroline Village told the crowd she was proud to march in the first women’s equality march in Washington, D.C. in 2017. Dozens of hands went up when he asked if anyone else was participating in this first march. while the audience cheers.

Grossman introduced Rosemary Niles, vice president of the League of Women Voters of Citrus County, who urged viewers to come out and exercise their right to vote. Niles also talked about the danger guns pose to women in abusive relationships. More than two women a day are killed by armed men, he said. He called on those present to work on regulating guns to reduce the danger to women.

Villager Dorothy Dobbs, president of the Synergy Sisters, told the audience about the history of women’s struggle for suffrage and equal rights in the United States since the birth of the republic. She warned the crowd that women’s rights were still under attack in the United States and that they should vote to protect their rights.

Pastor Kristine Spaude emphasized the importance of voting this year. She spoke about the importance of protecting women’s right to healthcare, which is under attack in many states because the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that abortion is not protected by the Constitution.

After the speakers spoke, the march began from the square down Old Camp Road to Lake Shore Drive, where marchers turned right and returned to the square. Car drivers and horse carriage drivers also supported the marchers by honking their horns.

A golf cart driver, whose car was decorated with Trump posters, circled the square once and made rude remarks to marchers who smiled and waved at the man.