The idea of "self-silencing" is when a woman holds in her thoughts, feelings, and emotions and this can lead to multiple medical issues like depression, irritable bowel syndrome, and even death in some cases — this is also true for women in intimate relationships where domestic violence occurs. It's extremely important for women to prioritize themselves and engage in open, honest communication because it's literally life or death.

Society often frowns upon women who are loud and opinionated — these types of women are also the ones who men are intimidated by and are being held back in the workforce, which is why some women subject themselves to self-silencing.

I was the girl who self-silenced herself and I was not happy.

I was seen as weak by many and helpless by all. I let people walk over me and run my life for me. I was the one who said yes to everyone and over-committed to everything, leaving little time to care for myself. I was constantly hiding in a corner to avoid being seen and shutting myself out of conversations because I assumed that my opinion wouldn't matter, but I soon learned that my opinion was just as important as the next person's. My voice deserved to be equally heard just like the man next to me.

History has shown that the greatest evolution in the human race has been for women or because of women, specifically those women who chose to not be silenced.

No, I'm not kidding — scientific studies back up the statement that women who do not self-silence themselves are healthier.

Also? They're kicking ass.

In 1776, Abigail Adams begged her husband, future president, John Adams, to "remember the ladies" during the Continental Congress. In 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott helped organized the first women's rights convention. In 1917, Jeannette Rankin was sworn in as the first woman elected to Congress in the House of Representatives. In 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus and it sparked the Civil Rights movement. In 1972, Title IX was signed into law, giving women equal chances at jobs that were male-dominated.

In 2007, Nancy Pelosi became the first female speaker for the House. In 2016, Hillary Clinton was the first woman to receive a nomination for president in a major political party. Just the other day, 16-year-old Greta Thunberg went toe-to-toe with the world's leader on their stage at the U.N. Climate Action Summit.