Lessons in Courage

A tall order, but we’ve found some worthy teachers

It would be oh-so-easy to delineate every startling, norm-crushing, demoralizing thing that President Trump is doing. And trust me, there will be plenty of that to report on in the coming months. But today we are going in a different direction. Less apocalyptic, more inspiring.

In what will be a periodic series on Steady called Courage 2025, we will spotlight resisters: people and organizations that are not bowing to Trump’s dystopian intent but rather actively and openly battling it.

FOR FILLING A VOID
The Trump administration has taken down several government websites, including a Spanish language version of the The White House website and a page on WhiteHouse.gov dedicated to the Constitution. It also removed ReproductiveHealth.gov. The latter site was launched by the Biden administration to provide information about women’s rights to abortion and contraception since the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

So that women still have access to this vital information, the media company theSkimm bought the web address reproductiverightsdotgov.com, which now redirects to a page on theSkimm site containing the information the government site did on the day it was taken down. The company will update it as needed.

FOR EMBRACING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI)
It is no secret that Donald Trump isn’t a fan of DEI programs. He has spent the past week dismantling any hint of DEI within the federal government.

One of the dozens of executive orders he signed called for the Office of Personnel Management, the government’s human resources department, to end all DEI programming. He also revoked a 60-year-old executive order signed by President Lyndon Johnson that banned discrimination in hiring practices in the federal government.

As if by magic, many corporations whose CEOs have bent the knee to Trump have also announced an end to their DEI initiatives. Among the companies: Amazon, Meta, Google, Walmart, McDonald’s, Target, and Ford.

Not all of corporate America is as spineless. Dozens of companies from very different sectors of the economy have flatly and loudly refused to go along with Trump’s anti-DEI crusade.

Costco, which was being pressured by an outside consulting group to end its DEI practices, asked shareholders to vote on the proposal. An overwhelming 98% said they wanted the big-box retailer to maintain its programs. “We have always been purposefully nonpolitical, and a welcoming workforce has been integral to the company's culture and values since its founding,” said Costco’s board chair, Hamilton “Tony” James.

The popular cosmetics and skincare company e.l.f. is also sticking with its robust DEI programs. The company says that its employee base and loyal customers, who are young and diverse, made it an easy decision. The company’s board is a reflection of its commitment to DEI. It is made up of 78% women and 44% people of color.

The banking industry is not known for its progressive bent, but this week two banking titans have recommitted to DEI: JPMorganChase and Goldman Sachs. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, both Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan and David Solomon of Goldman Sachs said they will continue to seek diverse talent in spite of the president’s actions.

Apple, Bank of America, Marriott, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, Delta, and Catholic Health have reportedly said they are reinforcing their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as well.

FOR STANDING UP TO THE BULLY-IN-CHIEF
The day after inauguration, the new president traditionally attends an interfaith prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral. This year the televised homily was delivered by Bishop Mariann Budde, who has been the Bishop of Washington since 2011.

Budde addressed Trump, who was sitting in the front row, directly. “Mr. President, millions have put their trust in you. And as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy on the people in our country who are scared now.”

The look on the president’s face was worth more than a thousand words. To put it succinctly, he was displeased.

After the service, he vilified Budde on Truth Social as a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater” and demanded an apology — an apology for being asked to be merciful, while sitting in a church. Budde, mercifully, declined to respond.

FOR FIGHTING FOR CHANGE UNTIL THE END
Cecile Richards was many things: a lifelong warrior for women’s reproductive rights; a former president of Planned Parenthood; the founder of the Texas Freedom Network, a watchdog group monitoring the religious right; and a friend of mine.

Even after she was diagnosed with a brain tumor, she started “Abortion in America,” an effort to utilize TikTok and Instagram to amplify stories of women impacted by abortion bans and restrictions. In an interview with the Texas Observer just before her death, Richards said, “Stories, told and retold, are the key to igniting change.” Last week the world lost a world-class fighter. Richards died on Monday at the age of 67.

If you see examples of resisters, please let us know in the comments.

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Dan