Women, yes, I said women. We come in different shapes, sizes, ethnicity's, races, personalities, degrees and interest. Women's rights movements which started in the late 1700s were primarily concerned with making the political, social, and economic status of women equal to that of men.

Despite the many strides women have made through the years we are still oppressed because of the judgmental stigma associated with being a women. You are too sensitive, too young to have a child, too old to have a child, pretty for a black girl, too old to dress the way you do, you act like a tom boy, too young to have an opinion, need to eat more, and need to eat less. Does this sound familiar ladies?

We are refused access to education and political participation. We are told things everyday by other women and men in society on how we should live, what age we should have children, what we should weigh, what major we should have, and how we should dress. Women have even been refused promotions at their workplace after years of dedication and clean work records.

Here is a story by Lucy:

"I was passed up three times as Director of Art at a middle school where I taught. I had seniority and for the first two times, the most experience and most years teaching. Another woman was hired from the outside instead of promoting me, then another man was hired from the outside instead of promoting me. The third time, I still had seniority and over 10 years experience, so they split the job between me and someone else, but that only lasted a year and they gave it all to the other person. Each time, I was given the same reason: "you have a young child." I think I ended up proving my point that women can be mother's and make sacrifices on both ends to be successful. I am now the Head of the Art Department at the middle school where I teach and couldn't be prouder of my accomplishment of proving the director of my school wrong. Women can be mothers and have great jobs all at the same time."

Hearing this information I went to the streets asking women what are the things you hear that drive you crazy and they said:

"That women have to choose between advancing at work or having children." - Rachel Davison

"That curvy girls don't work out." - Joy Antoine

"You're too young to have a child." - Victoria Reno

"Just because I'm female and tiny doesn't mean I'm weak. I'm perfectly capable of moving and doing things on my own. " - Jennifer Frederick

"That you can't have "guy friends". How guys are are nice to women when they are alone but treat them like crap in front of the world" -Tonisha Houston

"I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "aw you're an education major? well if you can't do, teach!" -Theresa Bertini

"You're pretty for a black girl" - Victoria Rambo

"I've heard numerous guys and girls be told "You're too skinny," "You need to eat more," "You need to workout" - Destiny Marks

"That girls shouldn't be "too" independent since men don't like that." - Courtney Wagoner

"If I get upset about something, it's because I'm on my period. Or if I complain about something serious or hurting, I'm faking it or I'm too sensitive." -Jordan Simmons

"A girl shouldn't be able to eat "like a man". She should eat like a lady. Whats the difference if I eat a apple or put down a few plates at the buffet.

"I want to see more plus size models,not only adult women, but young girls too. Not all plus size people are that way because they eat too much. There are so many autoimmune disorders that cause weight gain. I'm tired of society making some women feel like they are not enough because of their weight or body type. I know of certain retail clothing stores that won't hire young women (and men) if they feel they are too big. They might be one hell of an employee, but because they are too big in their eyes, they aren't hired. It's just the opposite in our society for girls who are deemed too thin "oohhhh, poor girl, she must be anorexic!" What?

We live in a society where women are shamed on a daily basis because of being a women. My question for you is "How did we change this stigma?" This has to stop. Women empowerment is the next step. When will society accept women for being women? When will society not judge us based on what's in or what they think we should be? How do we show the world that yes we are women but we count?

We have opinions and we work just as hard as other men and deserve the respect as other men. I think it is all described best by a quote by Elaine Soileau, Soileau said "I think society needs to let all girls/women be who they are. Mom or not a mom, working or stay at home mom, girly or tomboy, a science/math person or an English person. And we all need to lift each other up, not bring each other down!"

So, this is for the plus sized lady. Sweetie this is your life and if you are unhappy with your size change it but do not let society tell you, you aren't beautiful. Just because I am plus sized doesn't mean I do not workout or eat healthy. This also works vise-versa. This is for the girl who is repeatedly told she needs to eat. You are beautiful just the way you are. Size does not determine who you are, personality does. Just because I am skinny does not mean I do not eat, because I do. This is for the women who has been looked over at her workplace because she is a women with a child or children. Do not take that sitting down. Show them that yes you may have a uterus but you are just as important of an employee as everyone else. This is for the girl who has been told she is "too boyish." Be you girl, do not let anyone change you. You are awesome, do not ever stop believing in yourself.

For the girl who is young but has a child. You tell them this is 2016 and stuff happens. My child is a gift from God he/she may be planned or unplanned but I love he/she. So do not judge me or part your lips to tell me I am too young." For the girl who is being told you are pretty for a black girl. Girl flip your hair and kindly walk away because beauty is not based on color of skin. If that person thinks that beauty can not be found in blackness well, I have another article about that I can refer he or she to. We are women we are beautiful we need to continue to uplift each other in and through everything. I want everyone women to pass a complement this week. Whether it be on social media, at your work place, in text message, or a letter. Tell some women today they are beautiful just the way they are.