I know you've all probably heard it enough; maybe many of you are sick and tired of hearing about the women's march, or tired of reading feminist articles.
I was asked the other day by a man what my shirt, "the future is female" meant. He then proceeded to ask me what feminism meant to me. I knew that in his mind he thought I'd answer with what people are now considering it to be; that women are better than men. I told him the truth, that feminism means women and men are equal.
I understand that it may be getting out of hand, but what's important to know is that feminism does not mean that you believe women should over power men. This needs to be nailed in everyone's minds. People have taken the term feminism and have twisted it into something totally different.
"Feminism is not a dirty word. It does not mean you hate men. It does not mean you hate girls that have nice legs and a tan, and it does not mean you are judgmental, it means you believe in equality." -Kate Nash
I am so proud to be a woman. I am so proud to come from a mother who taught me I could be anything I wanted to be, and could dream endlessly.
I'm also proud of this country. I know, especially right now that sounds insane right? Well I'm proud that the women's march was the biggest inaugural protest in history. I'm proud to live a life seeing so many women doing so many amazing things.
Emmy Rossum, the female actress in the famous tv show Shameless, would not return for season 8 until she received equal pay. Her male co-stars replied, "She works as hard as I do. She deserves everything." She succeeded, and will be returning for season 8.
Ashley Graham, a plus size model changing the world for women and girls self esteem everywhere. She now even has a swim suit line for all sizes. "I workout. I do my best to eat well. I love the skin I'm in, and I'm not ashamed of a few lumps, bumps or cellulite...and you shouldn't be either." Barbie even made her into a doll, reminding girls there is beauty beyond size and that it's okay to be curvy.
Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn and Mary Jackson: the beautiful women that are finally being recognized because of the film Hidden Figures. They were the brains behind the operation of the launch of John Glenn into orbit. These women crossed every gender and race line, and Friendship 7 would not have succeeded with out them.
Oprah, do I need say more?
Maya Angelou, also need I say more?
Emma Watson with HeForShe promoting gender equality.
Michelle Obama, reminding me and women all over that we can do anything.
Ingrid Michaelson, with her "use your heart" tees where the money goes to the Trevor Project which is an organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to the LGBT community.
Amy Schumer, Lena Dunham, Hilary Clinton (don't deny it) , etc, etc!
The list is never ending. My professor who stands up for sexual assault awareness and stood up for me when I could not have my own voice. My mother who I can not even begin to comprehend how amazing she is but never gave up on me when being a single mother wanted to completely tear her apart.
Be proud to be a woman. Be proud of your mother, for she gave birth to you to walk this earth. Be proud of your best friends for having the same values. But don't just be proud of the women around you, be proud of the men in your life too; that support you, fight for you, and think you should have the same rights as they do. For they deserve to be recognized too.....just like us women do.