GREENSBORO, - This week marks the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and several communities in North Carolina are remembering the day with silent vigils. Guilford College will be the site of one of the events taking place on Wednesday. Student Jodie Geddes will be participating. She said it is important to remember that while the march called for equality in the civil and economic rights of African Americans, it was much more than that.

"I don't believe that many people recognize that race and gender and sexual orientation were a part of the March on Washington movement," Geddes said.

Other North Carolina colleges and universities are invited to hold silent vigils to commemorate the anniversary. The vigils, in part, are being organized by the American Friends Service Committee, an organization dedicated to solidarity and community.

Toni Etheridge is an event coordinator for the American Friends Service Committee. She said she and others are using this anniversary as an opportunity to advance the cause for equality for all.

"We're looking at all aspects of life because we want to be in a position where we're looking for everyone to have equality," Etheridge said. "Unfortunately - still today in 2013 - there's plenty of references where people aren't on equal space."

Geddes said it's important to her and other participants that the silent vigils aimed at building momentum behind social change.

"We're not going out and raising our fists and marching up and down the street," Geddes explained. "We're having this silent vigil, and we're also going to be in solidarity with other people across the country."

The silent vigils will take place from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 28.

(With Contribution from Stephanie Carson, North Carolina News Service)