3. When one minor inconvenience happens
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16. When the dean sends out a message encouraging students who are struggling to keep going and to not give up
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Hard work is everything.
GiphyEngineering is no walk in the park, for guys and girls alike. Persistence and dedication are extremely influential to anyones success in a STEM discipline. There is no better way for girls to make a statement than by excelling in these areas.
The majority of men and women both in STEM fields and out of them, are genuinely rooting for you.
GiphyI've never once felt that my professors, peers, friends, or anyone else for that matter, has treated me differently than how they would treat a guy studying engineering. Everyone surrounding me wants to see me succeed and are always willing to assist me in anyway they can. Although the world of engineering is still mainly comprised of guys, there are way more girls studying and showing interest in engineering than you would think.
Seeing more and more girls taking the plunge into engineering makes me so proud.
GiphyI come from a family with several male engineers and they all were so excited for me to be the first female engineer in our family. It says a lot about a girls' work ethic and character to take the path less traveled. Engineering and other science/math disciplines teach so many great skills such as problem solving, creativity, and adaptability, that help to make you a well rounded person. With the number of opportunities and experiences available from STEM fields, it's not surprising more and more girls are heading in that direction.
Being a girl in engineering, makes you distinct, studious, original, bright, and most importantly it gives you opportunities for a tremendous future. Here's to the future of women with careers in STEM!
NBC
1. "Kick it breakfast style"
2. Treat yourself and your friends to some heart shaped candy
3. A lot of sugar and/or whipped cream should be involved
4. Go on a friend date
5. Start a petition to make it a national holiday
6. Make some heart-shaped cut-out cookies
7. Tell each other cute stories and look back on memories together
8. Be a part of the feminist movement
9. Give each other cute little gifts or surprises
Image from MaxPixel.com
I decide to call myself a feminist not because I'm into an institution full of men-hating, obnoxious and over-sensitive women because that's definitely not what feminism is about. It is a movement of individuals that believe women and men should be treated equally. That's it. It is not as radical as people make it out to be. The stigma that surrounds the word itself makes people scared to label themselves a feminist.
Part of the way feminism is viewed has to do with the way it has evolved. To many young girls, it has become a trend that they like to advertise across their Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter hoping to gain the followers of the "girl gang." This is an awesome way to promote self-love, and confidence in women but at the same time, it stigmatizes feminism even more, making it seen as a "trend." This evolution of the term in no way lessens the fact that a woman earns 80.5 cents for every dollar a man earns. Or that one in five women will be raped at some point in their lives. And, it absolutely does not validate demeaning comments towards women. What many heedless men that mindlessly spew comments are ignorant to is how much harder it is for women in this world than they think.
They will never get the feeling I get when I walk outside as passing men holler degrading comments out their car window.
Or when my mom gives me pepper spray to "defend myself" when I travel to New York City alone.
When I screenshot my male Uber driver's information and send it to my parents, just in case.
When I pretend to be on the phone with someone to avoid a staring man from approaching.
When I pick out the right outfit that is cute but doesn't make me look too "slutty."
Thinking that I have to say "sorry" even after a minor inconvenience.
Saying "no" and being labeled "prude."
Of course, I know being a man is not a walk in the park and both men and women have their own struggles. I am trying to diminish the stigma around feminism as I am sick and tired of living my life in fear of walking alone. In fear of being judged. In fear of the capability of a man. I don't want to be the one to enforce the stereotype that all guys have malicious intent towards girls because that is not the case at all. I want to believe that guys like my brother will do the right thing when necessary. I want to bring my future daughters into a world where they could just be girls.
Yeah, girl power is cool but what is even cooler is universal respect for everyone!
5 Replies I Hear When I Tell People I'm A Feminist
I'm loud and proud when it comes to being a feminist, which means I've gotten some interesting comments.
Over the past few years I have finally become comfortable admitting to those around me that I am a full-blown feminist. I'm even vice president of the University of Dayton's feminist organization. And although I'm proud to call myself a feminist, the reactions I receive from others are not always positive.
One of the main reasons people snark at me when I say I'm a feminist is because there are negative connotations around the word. And my job as a feminist is to help change that.
While I try to change people's views on modern day feminism, I also find some joy in the weird comments I hear from people when I tell them I'm a feminist. If you're a feminist, you've probably heard some of these things too.
1. So, you hate men?
No, actually, I don't hate men. In fact, I really like men. And I want men to join the feminist movement as well. The word "feminist" is not synonymous with "man-hater." Feminism is all about the equality of the sexes, meaning that while I fight for women's rights I'm also fighting to breakdown stereotypes that harm men.
2. I believe in equality but I'm not a feminist
Are you sure about that? Because by definition feminism is "the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes." If you believe in all that, then I'm sorry to break it to you: you're a feminist.
3. I just don't like today's version of feminism
Modern day feminism focuses on all sorts of issues related to sex, including equal pay, rape culture, toxic masculinity, transgender rights, and the way women are portrayed in the media. Although you may not agree with all arguments that today's feminism is typically associated with, such as being pro-choice, that doesn't mean you can't be a feminist. Every feminist is different. No check-list exists for what you need to believe in order to consider yourself a feminist, so you maybe you are one after all.
4. Are you some weird, liberal hippie?
Maybe? I guess in your opinion I might be. But, since I know what "weird, liberal hippie" means to you, the answer is this: I shave my legs, I wear makeup, and most days I choose to put on a bra. Those are my personal decisions. But those things don't necessarily need to be associated with feminism. Some men choose not to shave their face, does that mean they're making a statement? On the contrary, some feminists choose not to shave because it shouldn't be weird for women to keep their natural body hair. Everyone lives out feminism in a different way because, again, all feminists are different. That doesn't make anyone a "weird, liberal hippie."
5. I can't be a feminist because I'm not a white female
Sad to say, feminism has struggled with intersectionality for years. But modern day feminists are trying to show the world that ANYONE, no matter who you are or where you're from or what you look like, can be a feminist. Feminism is for everyone.