Cheers to International Women's Day

Cheers to International Women’s Day

                Today on International Women’s Day I think about all the women in the world that fought for equality that we have today, the women that still fight for our equality, and of course all the women who are badass that have done great things in this world. I never really considered myself a feminist until recently. When I realized that it was so much more than just equal rights, but about respect for the strength, bravery, and intelligence that women possess but that often goes unnoticed since people often focus on women’s beauty instead of her abilities and her personality. It’s important to also remember that feminism is about being equal and you can be equal by putting men down. You have to build women up while simultaneously encouraging men as well. Say what you want about that but we CANNOT expect to be equal if we put men down while getting there.

“Gender Equality is not a woman’s issue it’s a human issue. It affects us all.”

                I am so damn proud to be a woman, a strong curvy woman that cares more about accomplishing good then being beautiful. Don’t get me wrong I believe in the important of being healthy and taking care of your body and looks and such, but it is not what is important. I choose to see myself as strong, brave, kind, intelligent, passionate, and loving. I look beyond the worlds expectations for a woman only being praised for her beauty but instead for her brain, accomplishments, and talents. This is something that we need to be teaching our children, our students, and honestly everyone. That women should be praised for what they do and who they are and not what they look like. Not only is this how it should be for women but  men should be praised for who they are and what they do and not what they look like.

“Each woman is an individual like no other, a self-made work of art.” – Edith Rehnborg

                Today on International Women’s Day I have loved seeing all the post encouraging and building up other women. Too often we compare ourselves to others, tear them down, and tear ourselves down in the process. Instead we need to stand together and fight. We need to encourage one another and build each other up. Praise other women for their accomplishments instead of feeling like less or making them feel like they are less. So do me a favor and encourage others instead of tearing them down. Big things happen when we come together and give it all we got.

“When women support each other, incredible things happen.”

                While living in Uganda I have seen women struggle with staying school because they are told to get married and have kids, their parents can’t pay their school fees and don’t because they are girls, and also because girls can’t afford menstrual pads so during that time they stay home from school. I have had the honor though to encourage my students and my fellow teachers to fight for these strong, brilliant girls to stay in school and go to university and become whoever and whatever they want. As humans we have the right to go to school and become whoever we went. We have the right to dream and chase after these dreams. So don’t tell girls that they can’t be what they want because if that’s what you think you are fucked up and wrong.

“A girl should be two things: who and what she wants”

                So ladies don’t let anyone make you feel like you are less than you are. You are strong, brave talented, passionate, creative, and even beautiful! Dream big, if people try to hinder you allow that to only make you strong and grow taller. You CAN and WILL achieve anything you set your mind to. You just have to work hard and fight.

“They tried to bury us. They didn’t know that we were seeds.”