The biblical story of Esther, the Jewish orphan who became queen and bravely saved her people, has been a potent symbol for women and girls, a call to lead a life of courage, sacrifice and purpose.
Sojourner Truth invoked Esther as she fought for women’s rights and civil rights. Hillary Clinton, when running for president in 2008, named Esther’s story as a favorite. And prominent Black pastors have used her story to galvanize support for Vice President Kamala Harris as she seeks the White House.
On Saturday at the National Mall in Washington, the queen’s story is being marshaled once again, this time by a group of conservative and largely charismatic Christians, who have drawn followers to “A Million Women: an Esther Call to the Mall.”
They hope to mobilize conservative Christian women, just weeks before the election, to turn America back to God — and toward issues they care about, which also align with former President Trump’s presidential campaign. Their goals include ending abortion, opposing transgender rights and supporting Israel.