I’m a feminist for women. We are sisters, mothers, wives. But most importantly, we are strong.
Women are not victims of assault and harassment, but survivors who use their voice to empower others. Those who use their experience not to spread hate or seek revenge, but rather to raise awareness and bring an end to the injustice.
Movements like “Time’s Up” and “#MeToo” are starting the conversation. And we have a lot to say.
I’m a feminist for the women who do not have a voice, for the women who are beat down and denied a chance at success, for the women who feel broken and useless.
To the women who feel lost, you are worth it. You have support, and when women support each other they come out much stronger. There is a spark that lies beneath every woman. She just needs to find the match to light it.
You have the support. Now you just need to believe in yourself.
I’m a feminist for the women who aren’t, for the women who claim feminism is radical and unladylike. I still support you and will continue to support you. I will stand for you and hope the best for you, because that’s what women should do.
I’m a feminist for men, for the men who will stand up and fight for women's’ rights.
I am a feminist more so for the men that won’t, the men that are too scared or too ignorant to show their support and stand up for what they can’t see are basic human rights. I feel sorry for them, for they were the boys who were taught repress not express. They have been blinded by sexism and can’t or don’t want to find a way out.
I’m a feminist for the past, for all the women who fought for what we are able to do today, for the suffragettes who were trailblazers and still continue to be admirable. Those women worked to prove wrong the people who doubted women, who didn’t believe we would ever get to this point.
Look at us now.
I’m a feminist for the future, for my future children who will shape the world to come. I want to show young children that girls can do anything boys can do. A young boy should be able to play with a doll just like a young girl should be able to play with action figures.
As a society, we do a huge disservice to young girls and boys. We instill in boys that they must be tough and “be a man.” We teach them that they should repress their true feelings and take charge of every situation, never allowing them to be vulnerable.
But we do a much greater disservice to girls. We teach them at a young age to serve to the needs of men. As a society we mold them into what we believe is correct, that sex has no limitations.
I’m a feminist for myself. I believe in women. I believe in what we have accomplished and what we will accomplish. But most importantly, I believe in what I will accomplish.
I speak up when I feel I need to. I correct others when my words are misconstrued. I am not afraid to face backlash from people who aren’t able to see the way I do.
I’ve been lucky enough to be surrounded by many strong and admirable women. They have taught me and continue to teach me what it really means to be a woman.
