“Eeeeyowwwww”, erupts the baby as she emerges into the world for the first time. “It’s a girl!,” cries the doctor. Her delicate body is red, bruised, and battered – after all, she just fought her way through the birth canal. “She is a fighter, that one,” said the doctor, as the mother silently wept. She wept for this girl of hers. She wept because she knew the world would not welcome her daughter with wide arms. Instead, this tiny girl will have to bear the burdens of the world on her minuscule yet precious shoulders. She wept for the injustices her daughter will have to endure. She wept for the girl, hoping that each tear that slid down her face will be the extra ounce of strength that will aid her baby along the way.

The baby warrior grew up to be a beautiful, intelligent, young girl, with dark, doe eyes that seemed to draw attention wherever she went. She was a petite girl, with dark, luscious hair that swung down her back so beautifully, that even the wind could not resist playfully combing its fingers through. Her eyes shined with her passion for life, her mind full of dreams, and her heart brimming with hope. As she walked gracefully, eyes fell upon her. Eyes of men preyed on her, just as a hawk preys on a vibrant bird, focusing on her body. These eyes were raised to be arrogant. From birth, they had been taught that they are entitled to all the worldly possessions. The girl looked down, eyes burning with rage, humiliation, and shame. It is somehow her fault. She is too beautiful. She is too free. The hawk managed to cage the bird - she is not allowed to express herself freely; she is not allowed to walk by herself. She is just a shadow and should be seen as such; she is someone's sister, daughter, and will soon be a mother, and wife. That is all she will ever be.

The young woman had a beautiful mind. She yearned to pursue an MBA after successfully completing her undergraduate studies. However, she encountered resistance from her parents and grandparents. They did not approve and forbid her to join the program. While the young woman wanted to sharpen her mind, strengthen her ability to form ideas and beliefs, and gain a sense of independence, her elders had other ideas. Her grandparents desired to marry her into one of the families from her native village. Being further educated would limit her potential marital candidates. It is a deeply rooted belief that the groom must be more educated than the bride. Therefore, the young woman was clipped of her wings to soar and dream. She was not allowed to follow her dreams even though, the man she was arranged to get married to, held a PhD in Parasitology and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine.

The young woman is my mother. However, the face of this narrative could be that of any young girl in India or elsewhere in the world. Often the stories of other women are even more harrowing. This horrific realization has made me realize how much I take my education for granted. As I enter my Sophomore year in college, I’ve come to realize how many girls across the world (62 million to be exact), would gladly trade places with me, studying at the library, moaning about responsibilities, and stressing about tests and papers. Because to them, education is a beautiful dream I get to live.

So next year, when I moan about having too much to do, I’ll think about the girl, who could have found the cure for cancer, but was never allowed the gift of education. I’ll think about my mom, who is one of the most intelligent, beautiful, passionate, and caring women I know. I’ll think about numerous times she has been there for me and encouraged me, because in a way, her dream now lives inside of me – she wants me to follow my dreams, when she, herself has been denied the right to follow her own. I’ll think about the countless times she has told me to be the kind of person I want to marry (“You be that kind, compassionate, strong, successful, and financially independent oncologist, Sowmi. Because you can. Because you want to.”) I’ll think about the countless strong, independent women who came before me, paved the road, and broke that glass ceiling so that, I can choose my own path, and break my own ceilings. Because I’m a girl. Because I can. Because I want to.