All my life I have been told that I can't do it because I am a girl. Accepting the fact that I was girl, I conformed to the traditional ideas of society, and I didn't do it.

I know what you may be wondering what is this "it" that I'm are talking about? Anything. My entire life, I was taught so many incorrect gender stereotypes and gender roles, and I blindly conformed to nearly every one. It was not until I grew older that I became more aware of the very thick line that society places between male and female.

Yesterday and today, society thinks that I am weak, frail, emotional, submissive and "high-maintenance. Okay, maybe I am "high-maintenance" but roots don't just fix themselves. Hello! The norms that our culture follows show me as inferior to men. These norms that we follow every day, knowingly, willingly or not, have made me out to be below men. Since the day that I became aware of this ever-so-troubling gender divide, I have done everything I can to defy it. I have made it my sole goal to inform you: Girl, yes you can.

Are you a woman wanting to run for president one day? Do people tell you that you are too sensitive to run an entire nation? Have you been told that you will not receive respect from others due to your gender? Do you think that because you are a woman, you do not possess leadership skills that a man may have? I am here to tell you: Girl, yes you can.

Gender does not determine the amount of emotion one possesses. One's gender has nothing to do with his or her ability to lead others. And, gender surely should never be the reason why a being should not be able to earn the same amount of respect from others.

Are you a lady who never wants to have children? Do you have dreams of something big, like, maybe traveling the world or running a Fortune 500 and believe that being a mother could hold you back? Do you find yourself to be unnerved by babies or by the thought of raising a human being? Girl, you don't have to.

Every day it is drilled into the minds of young children that women are to be mothers. In all actuality, society makes it seem as if motherhood is a woman's one and only purpose in life. Child birth is the only time in which a woman is respected for her gender. Women, such as myself, who do not wish to carry or raise children are ostracized every day by society for our "selfishness" and our desire to follow our own dreams.

Are you a female who likes to wear trousers and a tie to work? Is your hair cut short because you prefer the style? Do you prefer to not wear makeup on most or any occasion? Do you like to enjoy a beer with the guys on football Sunday? Are you more attracted to females as opposed to males? Do people ridicule you because you are not dressed in pink dresses with long tresses of blonde hair? Do people tell you not to be your truest self? I'm here to tell you: Girl, you can.

Now, I am a girl who enjoys her fair share of pink. However, not every woman is made to being incredibly feminine or delicate. The XX chromosome does not determine your lifestyle. One's gender does not determine one's dress code or sexuality.

Whatever your dream is, as a woman, I am here to tell you that you can. Do not let gender define who you are. Do not let chromosomes determine what it is that you do with your life.

The world may never see an equitable society in which women are finally equal to men. However, there is hope that we can evolve into a more accepting generation. One day, there may be a female president, a female NFL player, a leading businesswoman tycoon. Once we can create awareness for this massive issue of inequality, we can then move forward and increase our hopes of one day seeing a First Gentleman in the White House. But until then, ladies, I am telling you: Girl, yes you can!