When you sit her down in a classroom and begin filling her mind with goodness, knowledge, and information, the world shifts a little. It's almost like the ground shakes, twists and turns when those gears in her head start to move. When you show her how to write a formal essay, how to formulate an opinion, how to put her thoughts on paper, you are bettering the next generation. Can't you hear the next fifty years of generations of strong women thanking you? When you give a little girl a pencil and let her draw whatever comes to mind, the limit to which she will stop exploring is non-existent. When you give a girl, woman, female, life-giver an education you are not nearly as prepared as you may think you are to reap the amazing benefits of doing do.
Why am I writing this? Well, for starters, I am able to write this because I got an education and am currently in the process of still being educated in college. And how are you reading this sentence right now? Because you too got an education. Something so simple, something so basic, but to many girls an education is not even an option. Is it a sexist issue? Is it a cultural norm that we are unaware of in America? Or are we simply afraid? Are we scared of what might happen? Are we afraid that if we begin to fill the minds of women and girls with what the world is all about they will no longer exist solely for having children because they will know for sure that there is more to life than just that? Are we afraid that if we present knowledge to girls, no matter their race, culture, location on this earth, that they will want to explore, set out for bigger and better things? Maybe if we give a girl an education she will become something larger than what women have been summarized as in the past: babymakers, of course. Maybe we are just scared. And when I say we, I am talking about society in general. I am talking about every single country, culture, and place on this earth. Even here in America, we might be scared. Although girls are allowed and encouraged to be educated here in America, is that barrier really broken for good? Or are women still viewed for one purpose? I guess it can be determined on a case by case basis. I guess it can be determined when you look around you.
You see, when you give a man an education it's a simple thing, a common thing, something most men choose because they need or want to provide for themselves and a future family. It is almost expected for a man to pick education. But when you give a woman an education: now you have jolted the world. For years and years, centuries ago, women were not even allowed to be educated, vote, have a say in anything at all. And it is clear that because of the way women were looked at in the past it is now a triumph, a joy, a seemingly amazing thing each time a woman walks across a stage and gets a diploma. It is an incredible thing each and every time another woman gets her Master's degree, Doctorate degree, becomes a lawyer, becomes a teacher, or whatever she may decide she wants to do. It is life-altering, not just for that girl, but for the world as a whole. For any fellow ladies out there, regardless of your situation, never let anyone dim your light. You are worthwhile and you are certainly worthy of an education. You are worthy of learning, finding things out, and thinking beyond what someone else may tell you. It is every woman's responsibility to continue fighting, pushing, and working hard. It is a woman's responsibility to above all things, be resilient and demand an education. If you are reading this and are lucky enough to live in a country where education is valued and accessible, I am urging you to go out and learn. Learn for the girls in impoverished countries who cannot. Go out and learn for all of the females who would die to sit in a classroom. Go out and learn for you, your shining future, and your own pride. You see, when you give a girl an education, she can and will do extraordinary things. She might even be able to write articles and have them published, but who knows?
