I can feel a lot of people rolling their eyes at this all the way in advance - my dad in particular. Sorry, Dad. It's time I clear the air about this.

I can confidently say that I've always felt really conflicted about my role in life as a woman.

I grew up as southern-steeped as they come - going to little one-room churches and being baptized in a creek, tromping around farms, the whole shebang - so I'm no stranger to conservative views.

I'm blessed to have a lot of wise, experienced people in my life, most of which are close to God. I've tried hard to take everything they've had to teach me to heart. However, I feel I've received mixed messages. I've been raised to be a strong thinker, independent, and as determined as they come. If there is something I want to accomplish or say, I've always understood that my efforts and judgment calls are just as good as the next man or woman.

On the other hand, I've also been told to internalize that leadership wasn't meant for me, that there are roles I cannot fill, and I should let "the head of my household" or my husband's say always be final even if I don't agree that it's what's best.

My heart and my faith have always fought each other, so in order to better find my place, this is what I've made of everything. I know this won't be everyone's take on this situation, and I'll have a lot of disagreement come with this article, but these views make up a big part of me. So, here it comes - this is me thinking out loud, and making an effort to bring together my strong will with my faith (because why else would God give me a good head on my shoulders if he didn't want me to use it).

I'm a feminist, and I feel like that's OK.

I can hear the gasps and fainting now, but hear me out. Let me explain what I feel feminism is or should be (because I won't be one to say that there aren't a tiny fraction of people who take it too far). So many people understand feminism to be some extremist movement of women hell-bent on pinning men under their stilettos in submission. That's the last thing anyone wants.

All feminism pushes for is safety, respect, equal expectations, and partnership. It's completely unacceptable that little girls have to be brought up to take special care when going out, even in broad daylight. Women shouldn't have to accept that sexual harassment is just part of their experience as a female. It's not OK that women aren't considered for promotions or leadership positions because they aren't deemed "emotionally stable" enough (I can personally vouch that this didn't stop in the '70s).

Everyone deserves to feel safe, and like they have just as much of a shot at their dreams because of all they've accomplished. Everyone deserves to feel like their bodies are their own and they're being heard, whether that be about their boundaries, needs, or ideas. We all want to be equals in each other's eyes and valued for what we can do, no matter our biologies. Lastly, just to clear this up, women who take advantage of men to hurt them simply for being men are not feminists.

Feminism is just about advocating for everyone's lives being on an equal, respectful playing field.

I won't go as far as to say that everyone has the same strengths, struggles, or biology. Men generally having more physical strength than women is a thing, but being just as good as a man at a physical task isn't out of the question for a woman. I feel it's important that no one put limits on anyone. Any person can generally grow as much as they want in any situation they choose. It's all about the person's perseverance. This can be hard because of individual struggles, of course, and no one can overlook that. Some are better off than others, but as we all work toward bettering ourselves, we should all be able to feel that the sky is the limit.

Being a man or a woman doesn't mean you have to conform to specific roles or traits either.

I think God just makes us all who we are. Some women aren't mothers. Some men aren't warriors. That's OK.

Speaking for myself, God made me headstrong. God made me a good mediator, and He made me intelligent. These are my strengths and they help me take care of myself. I'm capable of being a good partner, which makes me really want to have that in my life. I don't want my opinions left out of a decision because I know they're valid, thoughtful, and worthy of consideration. In business or academic efforts, personal endeavors or matters, and even in my eventual marriage (if that ever happens), I think it's important to recognize everyone involved as someone with a lot to bring to the table. Personally, I feel that we should all be held responsible for caring for our families, finances, health, and so on. No gender can do it any better than the other, and if we all work together as equals, we could help to lighten burdens. We could be lifting each other up to better achieve our goals instead of uselessly confining ourselves and passing ridiculous judgment. Use the talents that God gave you.

No one is any better or any more capable than anyone else.

We all have strengths and aspects of ourselves that make us special, and being a feminist is about the advocation for freely and safely expressing that. If you're a leader, lead. If you're a lover, love. Women were said to be made from men to help men, but everyone needs help sometimes. Everyone was made in God's image, so let's all love, respect, and lift each other up like we're all one - like He intended us to be.