A woman: in literal terms means a female.

 A woman: in biological terms means one possessing a vagina.

 A woman: in economic terms means a being used to market the “sex sells” scheme.

 A woman: in societal terms means a being whose expected to sit still and look pretty.

 A woman: in political terms means a being whose too emotional and timid to get things done.

 A woman: in our terms means the strongest and most capable individual created.

The deeper you dive into the expectations and rules set by all of these different brackets, the more you realize how we have to fend for ourselves. We have to work twice as hard, sweat twice as much, bleed twice as much, just to break and surpass the stereotypes and expectations of those who try to tear us down. We take a risk every time we step outside the box were placed in. Every time we wear our skirts a little too short. Every time we speak out against sexual harassment. Every time we strive for a “man’s job”. Every time we want to enjoy sex. Every time we let ourselves go there, there is, without fail, a misogynist opinion being thrown back at us with labels like “bitch”, “whore”, or “weak”. Even if we keep ourselves trapped within this tight box, there are still judgements against us. Regardless of the woman we try to become, people will continue to enforce their mindset onto ours—it’s time we stop caring what people have to say about our womanhood and embrace it.

The greatest power lies within being yourself and standing up for equal rights, the rights we should have been given from the start. Being a female does not mean we are timid, it means we are mighty. We have suffered and been stripped down for generations, leaving us with nothing to lose and an even stronger voice to shout. For this, our voice is just as powerful as his; the man who speaks down to us as if we are too weak, too lowly to fight back. Fighting for your equality and human rights as a female is the bravest thing you can do with your voice. Use it loud and proud and don’t let anyone tell you differently. You are extraordinary in everything you do, and for that, you are capable of making a change.

By Julia Hames