As I have gotten older I have started to notice the difference in how people treat me compared to my brother. Now I don't get me wrong I love being a girl for the most part but girls are treated differently as though we know nothing but cooking and cleaning and having kids. But I know more than that. I was taught how to do almost anything boys can do. Maybe that's because of my younger brother and I wanted to know how to do anything he may have to do one day. When meeting guys many are surprised by my level of intelligence and the many dreams I have and want to achieve.

I have many great things I hope to one day accomplish. I want to do volunteer work and get my hands dirty building things in underprivileged countries. One of my dreams is to buy a home and renovate it myself. When I tell people of myself having this amazing dream they look at me with amazement that I would rather build my home myself than hire someone to do it for me. I have a passion for learning and anything I can learn I want to learn.

But what I never understood was why some girls never want to learn as much as I do. There are so many women fighting for girls in other countries who will never have the same chances for the same education as we do in America. Most girls in underprivileged countries quit attending school at a young age due to having to take care of their families or are forced to quit due to their belief systems. Many of these young women would jump at the opportunity to get a higher education.

I was always a somewhat independent child. If there was ever one thing I loved when I was younger it was helping my uncle and getting my hands dirty even though I was a girly girl. I have learned many great lessons on what you should and Shouldn't do when fixing your car, changing your oil, and how to install almost anything into your car or home. I picked up a huge knack for tinkering with things and taking things apart to figure a way to fix it. When I tell people that I know such things they are typically offended that I a girl knows how to change the oil on a car or change a tire without the help of some man.

Many people tell me things such as "As a woman, you should never get your hands dirty." But I believe the opposite. I believe that there should be no reason to waste money on things that you could learn to do yourself without help. I am so much than just a girl. I am and will always be my own hero.

I want to always be able to be independent and lead by example for my sister and other young girls who may look up to me as I go on my journey to become a teacher. I want girls to know that it is alright to be interested in sports and to always follow their dreams no matter the gender stereotype in that field. Girls are stronger than anyone may ever know. We are smart and are just as capable as men at doing anything. Our genders may be different but that doesn't stop us from being just as great and productive as men.