ELLSWORTH— Rachael Beal and her soon-to-be daughter in law, Rebecca Blackington, from Ellsworth, were unable to attend the Maine marches the day after the Inauguration, but the activism of women around the world made a deep impression on them both.

“Watching these women go to all of these marches was so powerful that I felt moved to do something,” said Beal.

Beal, who is disabled, and Becca Blackington, who is currently unemployed, wondered what could they do to contribute to women’s causes.

“Becca is the knitter and we were just so inspired by the number of pink ‘kitty’ hats women were wearing around the world,” said Beal. “I thought why not make them ourselves? It’s something we really feel strongly about.”

The now iconic “kitty” hat is a symbolic knit hat with pointy cat ears, protesting President Donald J. Trump’s on-air use of a vulgar term where he bragged about grabbing women "by the p---y" in television footage from 2005.

“We’re calling it the “Kitty Cat Hat” because that’s a nicer term, said Beal. Ironically, Blackington’s Facebook page for her knitting projects is called Knittin’ Kittens.

After figuring out how to do the pattern herself, Blackington has made dozens of hats in the last few days out of pink acrylic yarn  In two days since the hats were announced for sale on Facebook, she has received more than a dozen orders.

At 23, Blackington has been knitting since she was nine years old. It takes about three to four hours to knit each one and this side gig has now become her full time job.

The Kitty Cat Hat’s are selling for $15 through the Facebook page and Beal, who is doing the marketing, has also arranged for them to be sold in a Rockland store called The Flower Goddess.

Beal said that a $1 from each hat sold will be earmarked for women’s charities in Maine and nationally.

“As Maine women, we want you to know that even though we live in Maine, we won't be silent,” said Beal. “Our voices will be heard and the march for change will continue on with determination, hard work and a sea of pink.”

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com