In the second grade, my class put on a ‘wax museum’ in our classroom for the open house. Each student had to choose a historic figure, research them, and then spew their most interesting facts to the guests who came to see our classroom. Not knowing who she was at the time, I chose to be Susan B. Anthony, a women’s rights activist from the early 1900s. She is widely known for her efforts to give all women the right to vote. Anthony used her voice as a tool so that all the women who came behind her could speak their voices even louder.

Today, “I voted!” I am a 19-year-old girl who just voted in her town’s election. A 19-year-old girl who made her voice heard. This privilege is all thanks to the many strong women and feminists who came before me; because of women like Susan B Anthony who fought for the life I am living. It is because of feminists like my sister, my aunt, my cousin, and my best friends who continue to empower and inspire me and fight for equal rights. By their example, I too am a feminist.

I recently read an interesting article titled, “I'm An 18-Year-Old Female And I Will Never Be A Feminist.” The article was about why the author will never be a feminist, and that is absolutely okay, but I feel that her rationale behind this decision is a bit inaccurate. She starts by saying, “Sure, I think boys are stupid and that I'm probably better than 90% of the male population, but that doesn't make me a modern-day feminist.”

Feminism is not about being better than men. I am a feminist because I support equal rights for everyone. We do not believe that any gender is better than or superior to the other. The author continues her article by writing, “I'm all for "anything you can do I can do better," and "We can do it!" but realistically speaking in some situations, that isn't feasible.” Following this bold statement, the author shares that she frequents her local gym and is very healthy and in shape.

She explains, however, that although she is well-versed in the fitness world, she could not carry a 190-pound soldier off the front lines of a battlefield due to the fact that men and women are anatomically different. Her statement that men and women are not physically built the same is correct, but that does not mean women can't fight overseas or help to carry people and defend our country.

Again, feminism is not about women being greater than men. Feminism is about equality; equal rights, equal pay, equal opportunity. I truly believe that women can do whatever it is that they so choose, not without challenges of course. There are bumps on every path in life, for men and women alike.

Feminism is about allowing people to choose whichever road they feel is most suitable for them and providing the support they need to do so. Feminism is about standing up against injustice and making voices heard. I am a 19-year-old female and I will always be a feminist.

"The day may be approaching when the world will recognize woman as the equal of man." - Susan B. Anthony